Packrall Paces USC-Aiken in Dominant Fashion

Box score

AIKEN, S.C. - After scoring five runs in the top of the ninth, the No. 1 ranked University of Tampa baseball team bested No. 2 University of South Carolina-Aiken 8-4 Saturday afternoon as part of the Prestige Appliance Classic.

Relief pitcher Preston Packrall (1-0) threw seven hitless innings to earn the win and move the Spartans to 5-0 on the season. The senior struck out three and walked two en route to his masterful performance which included four straight frames without a baserunner.

Fellow Senior Kevin McNorton picked up his second save of the season in the 8-4 victory.

Pacer reliever Caleb Smith (0-1) was tabbed with the loss after allowing five runs, two earned in the top of the ninth. USC-Aiken ended the day with a 3-2 overall record.

Outfielder Connor Obrochta hit a bases-clearing double down the leftfield line in the ninth to give Tampa the lead. Infielders Orlando Rivera and Giovanny Alfonzo each recorded a pair of base-hits for Tampa while Tyler Ding, Michael Danner and Jacob Tillotson each plated a runner.

Pacers centerfielder Kody Belcher notched four stolen bases, three hits and a RBI despite the 8-4 loss. The Spartans put together five runs in the ninth to start their season a perfect 5-0.

UT will conclude its weekend with a Sunday game against Shepherd University, game time slated for an 11 a.m. start. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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.