Sailfish Snap Spartan Pitching Streak

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 2 University of Tampa baseball team was defeated by Palm Beach Atlantic University, 9-5, in the first game of the series. The Sailfish improve to 21-16 while the Spartans drop to 29-7 with the regional loss.

The Sailfish touched up the previously perfect Matt Abramson (6-1) for six runs, four earned, across five innings of work. Abramson owns a 1.09 ERA after the outing, but still holds the current consecutive scoreless record of 33.2 innings without a run.

Outfielder Drew Doty broke up the Spartan scoring drought with an RBI in the sixth. Centerfielder Connor Obrochta belted a two- run homer to left, chipping away at PBA as Tampa trails 7-3.

Designated hitter Sean O'Brien recorded a pair of hits and a RBI, including a double for the UT squad while pinch hitter Chris Pagliarulo notched a RBI single in the ninth. Tampa was unable to mount a rally however, as PBA took the first game 9-5.

PBA starting pitcher Nic Kovacs threw 6.1 innings for the win, allowing a trio of runs in his otherwise strong outing.

The two squads return to finish the series Saturday, with a double header slated for an 11 a.m. start at the University of Tampa Baseball Field. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (youtube.com/utathletics) and Instragram (tampaspartans). UT also offers blast, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.