Spartans Split Saturday’s Doubleheader Against Stillman
TAMPA, Fla. - The 10th-ranked University of Tampa Spartans split their first doubleheader against Stillman College this afternoon, winning game one by a score of 7-2 while dropping game two 4-2. The Spartans move to 8-4 on the season while the Tigers move to 5-5.
In the first game, the Spartans rode a strong outing by starter Josh Bowman (3-1) to a 7-2 victory. Bowman set a new career high in strikeouts with 14 as he allowed only two runs on six hits while walking none. Max Kreuter came on in relief to toss two scoreless innings to seal the win for Bowman.
The Spartans got off to a strong start scoring four in the first inning off Tigers starter Josh Cagle. Correy Figueroa led off the first with a single before a sacrifice bunt by Brenton Cianci moved him into scoring position. Jesus Barroso followed with an RBI single and Mike Schwartz was hit by a pitch to put two runners on.
Centerfielder Dagmar Pena then ripped a triple to right center to score both and give the Spartans a 3-0 lead. Brett McKean finished the scoring with an RBI groundout to plate Pena. Pena finished the game 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, including a sacrifice fly in the seventh to give Tampa a 7-2 lead. Catcher Mike Bourdon also finished the afternoon 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the second.
The Tigers fought back in the second game of the doubleheader, getting on the board in the first inning. Stillman starter Chase Wilson went the distance, throwing the full seven innings of three-hit baseball and limiting the Spartans to just two runs.
Tampa starter A.J. Pinera went four and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out four. He exited with two outs in the fifth and two runners on. Reliever Alex Koronis hit back-to-back batters to plate another Tiger before a wild pitch made the score 3-2. Stillman added one more in the seventh to close out the contest.
The Spartans will be back on the field tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader starting at 11 am. UT will offer live stats through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores through the website, a free service that sends text messages on Spartan athletic events.