Spartans Defeat Div. I Florida International to Run Win Streak to 10

Box score

MIAMI, Fla. - The sixth-ranked University of Tampa Spartans (23-4-1) defeated Div. I Florida International University (9-17) 11-7 behind three-hit performances by Jesus Barroso and Leo Alvarez. The victory marks the tenth consecutive victory for the Spartans this season, and the third win in two years over a division I opponent.

Three Spartans drove in two runs in the game, as Nolan Brannon joined Barroso and Alvarez with two RBI each. Alvarez connected for his second home run of the season in the ninth, a two-run shot over the left field wall. Barroso, Brannon, and Alvarez each scored two runs to lead the team over Florida International.

Tampa scored in each of the first three innings to hold a slim 7-5 lead after three. Jose Jimenez drove in the game's first run with an RBI single in the first, allowing Paul Cruz to come around and score his 18th run of the season to give Tampa an early 1-0 lead. Brannon drove in the second run of the inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Barroso.

The Golden Panthers tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the first on back-to-back RBI singles by Raimy Fuentes and Javier Sujo to pull the teams even at 2-2 heading into the Tampa second. Tampa reclaimed the lead in the top of the second on a two-run single by Barroso, scoring Rob Kane and Junior Mejia to put the Spartans up 4-2.

Florida International took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on a pair of one-run singles and an RBI groundout. Tampa scored three runs of its own in the top of the third to reclaim the lead, as Steven Broschofsky added to his 3-4 weekend against Eckerd with an RBI double that scored Brannon.

Following a double by Alvarez, Mejia came to bat and laid down a bunt single, allowing Broschofsky to score from third to give Tampa a 6-5 lead. Kane drove in the third run of the inning with an RBI fielder's choice that scored Alvarez, and put the Spartans up 7-5.

Tampa added one run in the fourth on an error by the Golden Panthers, and another in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Brannon following a leadoff triple by Barroso to take a 9-5 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Florida International cut the lead to 9-7 with two runs in the bottom of the eighth before Alvarez hit a 1-2 pitch over the left field wall for his second home run of the season to put Tampa up 11-7.

Daniel Foltz got the start for the Spartans, and pitched the minimum five innings to pick up his fourth win of the season, and improve to 4-0 in his freshman season. Rick Hudson threw two scoreless innings in relief of Foltz, surrendering no hits and striking out two. Anthony Perez came into the game in the eighth, and threw the final two innings of the game to pick up his ninth save of the season in as many opportunities.

The Spartans are back in action on Friday as they return home to host Nova Southeastern in the first game of a three-game Sunshine State Conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.