Spartans Win Sunshine State Conference Title After 12-3 Win Over Rollins
UT Clinched its 17th SSC title following the victory
WINTER PARK, Fla. - The second-ranked University of Tampa baseball team clinched its 17th Sunshine State Conference Championship after defeating the Rollins College Tars 12-3 Thursday afternoon at Harold Alfond Stadium. The victory moves UT to 40-7 and 19-3 in SSC play. RC now drops to 23-24 and 7-15 in conference play.
The Spartans got things started early as they pushed across three runs in the opening inning. Casey Scoggins scored the games first run, as he scored from first base on a hit-and-run double by Danny Lee. Lee would then come around to score on an Adrian Chacon two-out double down the left field line. Chacon would score the third run when J.D. Osborne singled the first pitch he saw up the middle.
After Rollins got back a run in the bottom of the second inning, Tampa would put up another three-spot in the top of the third inning. After Lee singled through the right side and Chacon drew a walk, Osborne took a 0-1 pitch and deposited it over the left centerfield fence to put the Spartans up 6-1.
UT would continue its hot streak on offense as they posted five runs in the top of the fourth inning. They would string together seven consecutive singles to start the inning to grab a commanding 11-2 lead. Rivera, Chacon, Osborne and Chris Gaffney recorded RBI in the inning.
The Spartans would add their 12th and final run in the sixth inning on a Matt Piatt RBI groundout.
Christopher Williams earned the victory giving him 10 wins on the season. The junior threw six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He would strike out six batters giving him 70 for the season.
Brad Hencke would get the ball in the seventh and eight innings, allowing no runs and no hits.
Conner Andrews would come in to close things out for Tampa as he recorded the final three outs.
Lee would lead the offense for the Spartans as he went a perfect 5-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Osborne would finish 4-for-5, with a home run and five RBI.
The two teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader tomorrow. Game one is slated to start at noon, with game two scheduled for 3:00 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.