Spartans Drop Season-Opener to Lander

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa suffered a setback in its season-opener as it dropped a 6-2 decision to Lander University at Steinbrenner Field.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lander Bearcats 6, No. 2 Tampa Spartans 2
Records: Tampa (0-1), Lander (1-0)
Location: Steinbrenner Field | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa now holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lander would open the scoring in the bottom of the second on a solo home run, and extend its lead to 3-0 on a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth.
• The first Spartan run of the season came in the sixth as Alec Aleywine belted an RBI triple to the left-center gap to score Nick DeTringo.
• UT would cut the Bearcat lead to 3-2 on an RBI groundout by Nick Derr.
• Lander posted a three-run seventh inning to break the game open, extending its lead to 6-2.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• In his first game as a Spartan, Aleywine went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI triple. He also scored a run.
• Keven Pimentel earned the start and went 5.0 innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out five with no walks.
• Pitching the final 3.0 innings in relief was James Reynolds. He allowed three hits and two earned runs while fanning five.
• UT's six-through-nine hitters were a combined 0-for-13.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• Head coach Joe Urso now stands at 786 career wins as the all-time winningest coach in UT history is approaching another milestone.
• This marks Tampa's first loss in a season opener since 2013, when the eventual national champions fell 5-3 to Bentley. In all, four of UT's seven national championship teams dropped their season opener (1992, 1993, 2006, 2013).

UP NEXT:

Tampa faces No. 19 Mount Olive on Saturday at noon at Steinbrenner Field.

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