LANTANA, Fla. – The Caldwell University baseball team closed its trip to Florida with an 8-1 loss to No. 11 Florida Tech Thursday afternoon at the Santaluces Sports Complex. The result sends the Cougars north with a 2-7 record in Florida, while the Panthers improve to 21-3.

Trailing 2-0, Caldwell got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third when freshman Paul Marinello (Freehold, NJ/Colts Neck) singled home freshman Charles Grade (Sterling Heights, MI/Sterling Heights). Florida Tech took a commanding lead with three runs in the fourth and single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to make the score 7-1. The Cougars loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh on singles by freshmen Kevin Goldman (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream Central), Richard Metro (Brick Town, NJ/Brick Town) and William Levier (Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.). But a double play and a groundout ended the threat.

Senior pitcher Michael Sheridan (Caldwell, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) pitched seven innings, allowing seven runs, four earned, while striking out five and walking one. Grade led the offense with two hits.

Caldwell begins Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, Mar. 21 at home against Post University. The first game of the doubleheader starts at 12:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Oval.