Spartans and Sharks Split SSC Doubleheader

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa concluded its three-game series with Nova Southeastern University with a doubleheader on Saturday. The Spartans took game one by a final of 6-5 in extra innings, while the Sharks took game two by a final score of 7-4. After the day UT dips to 21-3 and 7-2 in the Sunshine State Conference while NSU moves to 14-11 and 5-4 in SSC play.

In game one, the Spartans pushed across two runs in the bottom half of the 10^th inning to take the game 6-5.

Tampa struck first in the bottom of the half of the first inning as Kevin Santa scored on a J.D. Osborne double to center field that landed just in front of the diving center fielder.

Nova Southeastern responded in the top half of the second inning capitalizing on a Spartan error to tie the game at one.

The Sharks would then add three runs in the top of the fourth inning on a solo homerun by Daniel Zardon and a two-run shot from Dylan Woods.

The Spartans would then tie the game back up at five in the bottom of the fifth inning. CASEY Scoggins and DANNY Lee scored runs after KEVIN Santa hit a double down the left field line and a throwing error by the Sharks left fielder. Santa would then score the tying run on a wild pitch.

After NSU added a run in the top of the 10^th inning, UT was down to their final three outs trailing 5-4. Lee led the inning off with a walk and would come around to score the game-tying run on an Osborne double down the left field line. LAZ Rivera would then be intentionally walked to have runners on first and second with one out. ZION Bell came in to pinch hit for Tampa as he would hit a ground ball to the shortstop. After getting the force at second base, the second baseman spun and threw the ball over to first, but the first baseman was unable to scoop the throw from the dirt and allowed Osborne to score the winning run.

Brad Henke started the game for the UT going 4.0 innings allowing four runs, four hits, and recording two strikeouts. Conner Andrews was effective from the bullpen as the senior went 5.0 innings allowing only one hit and striking out three Shark batters.

Christopher Williams (4-0) recorded the victory going one inning and allowing one run.

Chris McCormick got the start on the mound in game two, as the righty went 4.1 innings allowing four runs on the evening.

Nova Southeastern jumped on Tampa getting two quick runs in the first inning on a Brandon Gomez two-run home run. They would then add runs in the third and fourth to take a 4-0 lead over the Spartans.

In the bottom of the fourth UT cut the deficit to 4-2, scoring runs on a balk and an RBI double off the bat of Matt Piatt.

After the two teams went scoreless in the seventh inning, Nova Southeastern pushed across two runs in the top of the eighth inning to taker a 7-3 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, UT added another run on a Rivera sacrifice fly.

The Spartans would be retired in order in the ninth as the Sharks sealed the 7-4 victory.

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