May 6, 2016

Spartans Win Friday Night Matchup Against Tritons

Tampa scored double-digit runs for the 23rd time this season

#3 Tampa 37-7, 16-3

Eckerd 16-24, 4-15

Final

#3 Tampa

Eckerd

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The second-ranked University of Tampa baseball team traveled across the bridge to take on the Eckerd College Tritons on Friday night. UT took the Sunshine State Conference matchup by a final of 14-4. The victory moves Tampa to 37-7, 16-3 SSC while Eckerd drops to 16-24, 4-15 SSC.

Christopher Williams earned the start for Tampa as the right-hander went a solid seven innings. He would allow just two earned runs while striking out eight batters on the night. The victory pushes his record to 9-2 on the season.

Jimmy Hodgskin would throw the final two innings on the night, allowing only one hit while striking out a batter.

The Spartans would get on the board first in the top of the first inning. After J.D. Osborne was hit by a pitch and Laz Rivera singled past the diving shortstop, Vin Cosenzo deposited the first pitch he saw over the scoreboard in right field to give UT an early 3-0 lead.

The Tritons would respond in the second inning as they would score four runs on four hits to take a 4-3 lead early in the game. Tampa would tie the game back up at four when Cody deNoyelles singled in Cosenzo.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Spartans would regain the lead for good as they scored three runs in the inning. Rivera drove in the first run when he singled in Danny Lee. Adrian Chacon would then drive in the other two runs as he doubled to straight away center field off the base of the wall to extend the lead to 7-4.

UT would continue with its hot bats as they scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Spartans scored the five runs on six hits, as they sent 11 batters to plate to grab a commanding 12-4 lead.

Chris Gaffney gave the Spartans the 14^th and final run in the top of the ninth inning when the catcher hit an opposite field home run off the scoreboard.

Cosenzo led the offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, and four runs scored. deNoyelles would also drive in three RBI in the victory.

The two will conclude the three-game SSC series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/tampaspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans) , Vimeo (www.vimeo.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (www.youtube.com/utathletics) and Instagram (tampaspartans).

UT also offers free messaging service for text and/or email, which sends alerts and press releases for Spartan teams. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com. A free app is also available for free download through Apple and Google Play stores. Please search for Tampa Spartans Front Row.