Tampa’s Historic Run Ends With Loss to Ouachita Baptist
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 3 |
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1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 2 |
SAUGET, Ill. - The third-ranked University of Tampa saw its run at history come to an end as they suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of fourth-ranked Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers rallied from 7-0 and 10-7 to overtake the Spartans by a score of 12-10. The Spartans conclude the season with a 42-11-1 record, while the Tigers advance with a record of 48-15.
The Spartans struck first, scoring seven runs in the first three innings, six of which came off Tigers starter Chase Baran. With a two RBI single from Junior Mejia and a two-run blast from Leo Alvarez, Tampa appeared to be cruising.
Ouachita wouldn't go quietly, however, as they climbed back to tie the game. The Tigers came up with a big fifth inning in which they scored five runs, capped off by a three-run homer from Chad Taylor, his fourth RBI of the game, spelling the end for Spartan starter Kevin Ferguson. Ouachita added one more in the sixth to knot the game at 7-7.
In the bottom half of the inning, Tampa struck back. After Paul Cruz drew a one-out walk, Jesus Barroso reached on a fielding error by Ouachita's third baseman to put runners in scoring position. Jose Jimenez dropped a single into right center, scoring Cruz before Steven Broschofsky smacked a sacrifice fly to right, putting the Spartans up 9-7.
Tampa tacked on another run in the seventh when, after a leadoff double by Alvarez, shortstop Rob Kane laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to make it 10-7. Down to their final six outs, the Tigers came back once again thanks to another three-run homer. Justin Pennell, already with two RBI on the day, took a 2-0 pitch from reliever Anthony Perez (4-2) over the right field fence, tying the game.
Perez exited in the ninth with a runner on second and one out. John Wiedenbauer couldn't close out the inning, as Blake Lockwood singled home Drew Maus to give the Tigers their first lead, 11-10. Pennell followed with a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Danny Keefe relieved Wiedenbauer and picked off Pennell, but Lockwood scored from third base to put the Tigers ahead by two.
Tigers right-hander Alex Smith (5-2) threw six solid innings for the Tigers after coming on in relief to pick up the win, and Steve Smith collected his third save of the season.