Spartans Split Twin-Bill But Walk-Off with Series Against Lions
TAMPA, Fla. - With their second walk-off in as many days, the No. 3 University of Tampa baseball team split its Saturday doubleheader with Saint Leo University. The Spartans end the series with a 19-4 overall record, 4-2 in Sunshine State Conference matchups with the Lions ending 16-8, 1-5 in SSC play.
Leftfielder Michael Danner was Saturday's hero, coming up with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, ending the series 2-1 in Tampa's favor.
Saint Leo took the first game of the doubleheader with a 7-3 win over the Spartans. Junior Connor Obrochta and previous night's hero, Tyler Ding, each recorded a pair of hits in the loss. First baseman Ding recorded two RBI while centerfielder Obrochta crossed the plate twice.
SLU starting pitcher Rick Teasley (2-2) hurled 7.2 innings, allowing three runs off five hits to earn the win. Reliever Adam Albers closed out the contest, pitching 1.1 innings to pick up his fourth save of the season. Spartans lefty Eric Luksis (2-1) started the game for Tampa, tossing six complete innings while allowing five runs to tally his first loss of the season.
Tampa took the second game of the twin-bill by a 6-5 score. The Spartan bats awoke in the first inning, as Danner and Jake Schrader each launched a home run. Both players picked up a pair of RBI on the game.
SLU mirrored the Spartans performance the previous night, tying the game in the top of the sixth 5-5. An inning later, Danner plated the game winning run to take the crucial SSC series two games to one.
Reliever Matt Abramson (3-0) picked up the win, pitching the final inning without allowing a base runner. Lions reliever Austin Buck was the pitcher of record for SLU, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing the walk-off run.
Tampa will continue its homestand Tuesday against West Chester, set for a 5 p.m. start. Live stats in addition to a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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