Spartans Slug Their Way Past Lions in SSC Opener

Box score

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The No.1 ranked University of Tampa (16-1, 1-0 SSC) baseball team dominated Saint Leo University (11-4, 0-1 SSC) by a score of 10-1 for their first conference win of the season Friday night.

The Spartans offense exploded for 14 hits in rout of the rival Lions, while only giving up three hits of their own. Four different Tampa sluggers had multiple hits in the contest.

Senior Sean O'Brien hit Tampa's first of three homeruns on the night in the third inning to go up 2-1 early. Outfielder Stephen Dezzi followed up in the sixth with a 2-run blast to right field that extended the lead to 5-1. Tampa put the game away in late with a five run seventh, after Connor Obrochta hammered a 3-run homer to left field.

Tampa's bats were swinging from the get go, as almost every Spartan had a hit in the game. Michael Danner and Nick Tindall led the way with three hits apiece. Dezzi and Obrochta led UT with 3 RBI respectively.

Ace pitcher Trey Oest (6-0) picked up the win, throwing seven innings, allowing only four hits, and striking out six batters. Junior reliever Chase Sparkman came in to finish out the final two innings by not allowing a run.

Lions pitcher Michael Dunnigan (2-1) came up with his first loss in his career at the hands of the Spartans. The right hander pitched six and a third innings, while allowing five earned runs.

Tampa will continue the series on the road against Saint Leo University, with a double header scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. Live stats as well as live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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