Spartans Take First Two Games Against the Choctaws

TAMPA, Fla. – Top-ranked Spartans take the first two games of the three-game series.

Game One -- Final Score: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans (6), Mississippi College Choctaws (5)

Game Two -- Final Score: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans (5), Mississippi College Choctaws (2) 

Records: Tampa (15-1, 3-0 SSC), Mississippi College (5-12, 3-3 GSC) 

Location: UT Baseball Field || Tampa, Fla.  

All-Time Series: Tampa has claimed victory in both matchups all-time against Mississippi College. 

HOW IT HAPPENED -- Game One:

In the top of the 4^th, Mississippi College broke the scoreless tie with a single by Tristan Tigrett, scoring Lance Wade. Markarius Lee added 2 more with a double down the left-field line, scoring Tigrett and Ken Scott. Lee came around to score on a wild pitch by Haden Erbe. | 4-0 Mississippi College. In the bottom of the 4^th, Dan Sullivan got the Spartans on the board by driving in Drew Ehrhard and E.J. Cumbo with a 3-run homer, his 4^th of the season. John Malcolm then drove in J.D. Urso with a sacrifice fly to deep right field. Nicholas Winklemeyer gave Tampa the lead with a single down the left field line, scoring Luke Glancy. | 5-4 Tampa. In the top of the 5^th, Braydon Nelson came on in relief of Haden Erbe after 4 2/3 innings of work. Lance Wade drew the throw from catcher Josh Rulli, which in turn allowed Jackson Breedlove to steal home on a close play at the plate. | Tied 5-5. In the bottom of the 5^th, Mississippi College starter Josh Cuomo was replaced by David Dunn. | Tied 5-5. In the bottom of the 8^th, Cooper Gadman came on in relief for the Choctaws. Dan Sullivan homered for the 2^nd time in the ballgame down the right-field line. | 6-5 Tampa. Braydon Nelson retired the Choctaws in order to earn the win for the Spartans. | 6-5 Tampa Final.

HOW IT HAPPENED -- Game Two:

In the bottom of the 1^st, E.J. Cumbo got the Spartans off to a hot start in game 2 with a 2-run blast to right field, his second of the day, scoring Jordan Lala. Luke Glancy added to the first inning offense with a single up the middle, scoring J.D. Urso. | 3-0 Tampa. In the top of the 2^nd, Cody Crifasi drove in Markarius Lee. | 3-1 Tampa. In the top of the 4^th, Dalton Ross came in relief of Eric Linder. Jackson Breedlove singled through the right side, scoring Tristan Tigrett. | 3-2 Tampa. In the bottom of the 4^th, Gavin LeBlanc relieved Mississippi College starter Austin Huggins. E.J. Cumbo drove in Josh Rulli on a sacrifice fly to right field. Dan Sullivan then knocked in Jordan Lala on a fielder's choice. | 5-2 Tampa. In the top of the 6^th, Braden Forsyth relieved Dalton Ross on the mound for Tampa. Forsyth closed out the last two innings | F/7: 5-2 Tampa.

INSIDE THE STATS -- Game One:

• Sullivan: 3-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
• Winklemeyer: 2-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
• Nelson: W, 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

INSIDE THE STATS -- Game Two:

• Cumbo contributed with 3 RBI and a HR.
• Ross collected his third win.
• The Spartans had 10 hits.

UP NEXT: The top-ranked Tampa Spartans are back in action on Monday at 3 p.m. against Seton Hill, at UT Baseball Field