Top-Ranked Spartans Complete Series Sweep of Previously Undefeated Nova Southeastern

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans secured the sweep in a Saturday doubleheader, following a victory on Friday night over Nova Southeastern.

Game One -- Final Score: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans (7), No. 12 Nova Southeastern University Sharks (5)

Game Two -- Final Score: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans (9), No. 12 Nova Southeastern University Shatks (6) 

Records: Tampa (20-2, 6-0 SSC), Nova Southeastern (17-3, 3-3 SSC) 

Location: NSU Baseball Complex || Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  

All-Time Series: 50 total wins in 71 games

HOW IT HAPPENED -- Game One:

The Sharks opened up the game in the bottom of the first with a two-run double that took an early lead | 2-0 Nova. The Spartans answered the call right back in the top of the second. Dan Sullivan led off the inning with a double down the right field line, then J.D. Urso hit his fourth round-tripper of the season to right field | 2-2 Tied. Jamarcus Lyons smoked one to right center, and gave the Spartans the lead in the top half of the fourth | 3-2 Tampa. Adam Frank regained the lead for the Sharks with two-run homer, his sixth of the season in the bottom of the fifth | 4-3 Nova. Michael Paul's day was finished after 5.0 IP, RHP Eric Linder came in relief in the top of the sixth. Spartans drove in a four runs in the seventh sparked by a Drew Ehrhard single to right center, which scored Nicholas Winkelmeyer | 7-4 Tampa. In the bottom of the eighth, Dalton Ross came into relive Linder making it his ninth appearance on the year, which also leads the team. The Sharks got a run back in the eighth off Ross | 7-5 Tampa. Braden Forsyth got called upon in the ninth to get the last two outs, and he delivers | Final: 7-5 Tampa.

HOW IT HAPPENED -- Game Two:

Tampa opened up the game in the top of a the first with a base hit by E.J. Cumbo which scored Ehrhard | 1-0 Tampa. The Sharks answered the Spartans in the bottom half of the first with two RBI singles| 2-1 Nova. Nick Long's day was done after 3.1 IP, Alex Passarella came in relief in the fourth. Two wild pitches from Passarella added two runs for the Sharks | 4-1 Nova. Michael D'Emo replaced Passarella on the mound after only 0.1 IP in the fourth. A lead off triple from Jose Cadenas in the top of the fifth created some momentum, which led to Winkelmeyer recording a RBI | 4-2 Nova. The Sharks tallied another run in the bottom of the fifth | 5-2 Nova. Lyons reached on a fielder's choice in the sixth, but brought across Cumbo | 5-3 Nova. Giovany Lorenzo pinched hit for Josh Rulli with the bases loaded, and came up big. He cleared the bases with a double down the left field line and gave the Spartans the lead | 6-5 Tampa. Lyons scored Cumbo with a single through the left side in the seventh | 7-5 Tampa. The Sharks picked one up in the bottom half of the seventh from a solo shot by Avendano | 7-6 Tampa. The Spartans got some insurance runs in the top of the eighth, where Jordan Lala, and Ehrhard scored | 9-6 Tampa. Ross replaced D'Emo in the eighth, that was his second appearance in the series for the righty. Ross shut the game down with a two inning save | Final: 9-6 Tampa.

INSIDE THE STATS -- Game One:

• Urso collected three hits, along with three RBI, including a HR.
• Paul went 5.0 IP, 7 K's, letting up four earned with a no decision.
• Cadenas had a RBI with a HBP.

INSIDE THE STATS -- Game Two:

• Cumbo had four hits, two RBI, along with two runs scored.
• Lorenzo with his only at bat of the series contributed three RBI.
• Lala collected two hits, two base on balls, and one run scored.

UP NEXT: Next time the Spartans play, it will be a three-game home series against the Saint Leo Lions. Starting with game one on Friday at 6 p.m.