Spartans Drop Game One, Lightning Halts Game Two In The Sixth
VALDOSTA, Ga. - The second game of a doubleheader between the No. 9 University of Tampa Spartans and Valdosta State University has been delayed in the sixth inning with the score knotted at 6-6. The Spartans fell to the Blazers in the first game by a final score of 13-7. The second game will pick back up tomorrow afternoon.
The long ball doomed the Spartans in the first game as Tampa pitching gave up five homers to the Blazers. After allowing solo shot in the first, UT starter Josh Bowman (3-2) allowed back-to-back jacks to bring the score to 3-0.
After Tampa fought back to take the lead from Valdosta State with four runs in the fifth, the Blazers countered with their own four run inning in the bottom half to grab a 7-5 edge. Tampa climbed within one the following inning, but a six-run seventh proved too much to overcome and Tampa fell by a final score of 13-7.
In the second contest, the Spartans got out to the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Mike Schwartz singled to drive in Jesus Barroso from second. Barroso, who went 3-for-4 in the first game, has a single, double, and sacrifice fly so far in game two. The sacrifice fly came in the second when, after the Blazers added two in the bottom of the first, Tampa tied it at 2-2 in the second.
Valdosta would not relent, posting four runs in the third to pull out to a 6-2 lead. In the fourth, however, center fielder Tyler Cox, who earlier scored on Barroso's sac fly, stroked a solo home run over left-center to cut the lead in half. After singles from Figueroa and Barroso, senior Jose Jimenez doubled to left field, scoring Figueroa. Steven Broschofsky followed it up with a double of his own, scoring both runners to tie the game.
With the matchup tied, lightning halted play before the sixth inning. The Spartans will continue their series against the Blazers tomorrow afternoon. 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.