Spartans Slam Their Way to Win Over Mocs

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - With a fourth-inning grand slam, the No. 1 University of Tampa baseball team pushed passed rival Florida Southern College by a 7-1 margin on Friday night. The Spartans improve to 29-6 with an 11-5 mark in Sunshine State Conference play while the Mocs drop to 20-16 with an even 8-8 in conference matchups.

Third baseman Damon Elder recorded two hits, four RBI and crossed the plate once as centerfielder Connor Obrochta picked up two hits and one run batted in.

Tampa struck first in the game after a RBI single off the bat of Andrew Jones plated Obrochta in the bottom of the third. Second baseman Eric Grabe would swap places with Jones after notching a RBI double to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the fourth, senior Damon Elder clubbed a grand slam to left field, putting the Spartans up on the Mocs, 7-0.

FSC halted the shutout bid in the sixth as third baseman Mike Snyder launched a solo shot to give the Mocs their first run of the game.

Starter Ben O'Shea tossed 5.2 innings of one-run baseball, scattering six hits and striking out four on route to his fifth win. The righty now stands at 5-1 on the season. Senior Aaron Gerbasi pitched 2.1 shutout innings in relief while Mike Zaccardo finished the ninth with a perfect 1-2-3 inning.

The Spartans return to the field Saturday to finish the FSC series in twin-bill fashion, first game slated to start at 1 p.m. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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