Spartans Use Big Inning to Claim Victory In SSC Series Opener

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (23-6 8-2) baseball team defeated the Florida Tech Panthers (19-12, 4-6) by a final score of 8-3 Friday evening. The Spartans victory marked their 23rd of the season and was Game one of a three-game series with the Panthers.

After a few tough losses, the Spartans bats showed up on their home field Friday evening, out hitting the Panthers 10-8. Tampa's defense was a key factor in the victory, only recording a single error on the game.

Christopher Williams got the nod for the Spartans and was able to produce a strong outing. Williams went six innings pitched giving up eight hits, three runs, and striking out one. With the help of the Spartans defense, Williams picked up his fifth win of the season, making him 5-2 on the year.

The Spartans bats were in full force Friday evening. Getting things started early, a Danny Lee RBI double and a Cody deNoyelles bases loaded hit-by-pitch gave Tampa a 2-0 lead after one. After the Panthers took a 3-2 lead in the fourth, it was Tampa's game from there on out.

In the bottom of the fifth, J.D. Osborne crushed a two run home run to left field that would recapture the lead, putting Tampa on top 4-3. The home run would mark Osborne's sixth on the year.

Tampa's offense would explode in the bottom of the sixth scoring four runs. Adrian Chacon roped an RBI double down the left field line that brought Chris Gaffney into score. Danny Lee would add to his performance with an RBI single that plated Chacon. Following Lee's single, Laz Rivera roped an RBI single of his own that brought Lee around to score. Matt Piatt followed Rivera's RBI single with one of his own that would bring Osborne across the plate, giving Tampa the 8-3 lead.

Cody Martin relieved Williams in the seventh inning and was lights out. Martin went three innings, giving up no hits and striking out three. Martin's relief work would secure the Tampa 8-3 victory.

Tampa will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they play games two and three against the Florida Tech Panthers. First pitch of game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 PM at the University of Tampa baseball field. The game will be available for video stream onTampaSpartans.com

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