Top Ranked Tampa Dominates In Route to Sweep Over No. 8 Lynn
BOCA RATON, Fla.-The No.1 ranked University of Tampa baseball team cruised to a series sweep over No.8 Lynn University after the Spartans triumphed in both games of the doubleheader Saturday afternoon. UT dominated the first contest 13-5 and closed out the second, winning 4-2.
With the pair of victories Tampa continues its historic season improving to a pristine 45-2 record, 18-1 in Sunshine State Conference play, while Lynn drops to 33-13 overall, 15-9 in SSC competition.
Second baseman Orlando Rivera came up with two solid games, hitting 4-for-8 with three runs and two RBI on the day. Senior Connor Obrochta's hot hitting continued today as the center fielder went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Sluggers Sean O'Brien, Stephen Dezzi, and Quinn Pippin all smashed home runs in the first game of the double header.
Game one was an offensive explosion, as 12 different Spartans ended the game with at least one hit. UT also mounted at least one run in each inning, excluding the eighth frame. The Spartans attack could not be stopped as Tampa totaled 19 hits in the contest, including three home runs.
In the fourth, Dezzi began the home run barrage with a lead-off solo shot to right field, his seventh of the season. Pippin continued the onslaught, smacking a three-run homer to right field for his third home run of the year. O'Brien jumped into the action by belting a three-run blast of his own to deep left field, fourth of his 2014 campaign.
Starting lefty Chase Sparkman (3-1) gave the Spartans six strong innings of work and picked up the win, while giving up two runs on seven hits and striking out two.
Lynn starter Daniel Patrick (5-1) was tabbed with his first loss of the season, only throwing two innings, yielding five runs on seven hits.
In game two, the Fighting Knights kept the contest close as the Spartans held a slight 2-1 lead heading into the fourth inning. In the fourth, Obrochta hammered the ball deep to center field, off the wall for a 2-run triple to put the Spartans on top 4-1. Tampa held on late, despite Lynn's attempt at a comeback.
Right hander Preston Packrall (8-0) continues his undefeated season by picking up the win while throwing six frames, only allowing one run on four hits and striking out three Lynn batters.
Closer Kevin McNorton earned his 11th save of the year, by throwing the final inning to seal the Spartan victory.
Fighting Knights starter Travis Connelly (3-5) despite a solid outing, came up with the loss, the right hander threw a complete game, while allowing four runs on five hits and striking out three.
Tampa will welcome Sunshine State Conference member, Florida Tech for its final weekend conference series. The first game will be played Saturday at 6 p.m. followed by a Sunday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made 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.