Top-Ranked Spartans Blank Sailfish in Home Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – No. 1 University of Tampa baseball team played its first home game in 366 days, and came away with a 7-0 victory in its Sunshine State Conference opener against Palm Beach Atlantic University.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans 7, Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish 0
Records: Tampa (2-1, 1-0 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic (0-4, 0-4 SSC)
Location: UT Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: The Spartans now hold a 27-7 advantage in the all-time series, and have now won 10 straight at home against PBA.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In his home debut as a Spartan, NYIT transfer and All-American E.J. Cumbo put UT on the board as the left-handed hitter sailed a solo shot over the right-field fence. Tampa would add another run when John Malcom singled home Drew Ehrhard for UT's second run of the frame. || Bottom 1 || UT 2-0
• With two outs, Malcom came through again with a two-run single to score teammates Jamarcus Lyons and Cumbo. || Bottom 5 || UT 4-0
• Jose Cadenas scored the fifth run of the game as Ehrhard drew a bases-loaded walk. Nick Derr would later score on another bases-loaded walk, this time by Lyons. || Bottom 6 || UT 6-0
• Malcom allowed Derr to score on a fielders choice. || Bottom 8 || UT 7-0

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Cumbo was 3-for-4 at the plate as he also drew a walk. He also scored two runs, including one on his first-inning home run.
• Malcom drove in a team-high four runs on a pair of hits.
• The top four hitters in the Spartan lineup combined for five of the team's nine hits while scoring six of UT's seven runs.
• Derr drew four walks on the day.
• Michael Paul moved to 2-0 on the season as the ace threw 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. He would finish with four strikeouts while issuing no free passes.
• Jordan Leasure provided 1.2 perfect innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts.
• Michael D'Emo would contribute 0.2 innings while Dalton Ross finished the game with 1.1 innings of work to be part of the combined shutout.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• Derr's four walks is the most in a game for a Spartan since Nick DeTringo in 2017.
• The preseason favorites to win the SSC took the first league game of the season.

UP NEXT:

The same two teams will meet in West Palm Beach, Fla., for a Saturday doubleheader that is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

FOLLOW US:

@TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans may also watch all games live through TampaSpartans.tv and the SSC Digitial Network app. Live stats are available through TampaStats.com.

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