Spartans Clip Falcons in Shutout Opener

Box score TAMPA, Fla. -

Winning their first game of its 2012 campaign, the #2 University of Tampa baseball team shut out Bentley University to begin their three game series. The Spartans improve to 1-0 on the season while the Falcons drop to a 0-1 record.

Three Spartan pitchers combined for nine scoreless innings, as Sean Bierman made his first start in nearly two seasons since Tommy John Surgery. The southpaw spun three innings, allowing three hits and six strikeouts. Right handed pitcher Aaron Gerbasi earned the win, with three innings of one-hit baseball, sending three down on strikes. Junior Mike Adams mirrored Bierman's performance with a three inning stand of six punch-outs, allowing a single hit to close out the game.

The top three hitters in the Tampa lineup accounted for eight of the 10 hits. Shortstop Anthony Caronia swung 4-for-5, all singles, while crossing the plate twice.
Outfielder Damon Elder picked up a pair of hits in as many swings while also scoring two Spartan baserunners. Elder had some third inning heroics, breaking up the 0-0 tie with a three bagger to deep right field, scoring his two RBI on the evening.

Senior Andrew Jones singled twice in three chances with an RBI for the Tampa team. Corner infielders Jake Schrader and Eric Grabe accounted for the other two RBI, both by way of the sacrifice fly.

Bentley center fielder Sean Keady hit at a .500 clip with a stolen base for the Falcon offense, as all but one hit on the team came from the outfielders.
Falcons starting pitcher John Yohe picked up the loss, pitching three innings of five hit ball, surrendering three earned runs.

Tampa returns to the field Saturday to play game two of the set against the Falcons, game time slated for a 6 p.m. start. Live stats as well as a live video webcast with be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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