Late Blast Lifts Spartans Over Flagler

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The No. 1 University of Tampa baseball team got out to an early lead, but was challenged by Flagler College before prevailing in a non-conference regional matcup.

Final Score: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans (7), Flagler College Saints (6)

Records: Tampa (23-2), Flagler (14-12)

Location: Drysdale Field || St. Augustine, Fla. 

All-Time Series: Tampa owns a 7-1 lead in the all-time series as the Spartans have taken four straight over the Saints.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Spartans struck for four runs in the top of the first inning. J.D. Urso put the first two runs on the board on a bases-loaded double, scoring E.J. Cumbo, and Dan Sullivan. Jamarcus Lyons would bring in the next run of the frame, as the Spartans scored their fourth run on a single off the bat of Luke Glancy. Flagler would cross its first run of the night in the third, trimming the lead to 4-1. Tampa quickly answered, scoring a pair on a Sullivan double that brought home Cumbo and Drew Ehrhard. The 6-1 UT lead was not enough, as Flagler trimmed the lead to 6-5 on a fifth-inning grand slam off the bat of Myles Colangelo. The Saints would break even on a run-scoring wild pitch in the sixth. Without a hit for four innings, Tampa got its biggest hit of the evening on a ninth-inning solo home run from Drew Ehrhard. The Spartans would strand a Saints baserunner at third base in the bottom of the ninth to take the victory. | 7-6 Tampa.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Ehrhard, with the biggest hit of the night for Tampa, finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk.
• Cumbo had three hits, scoring two runs.
• Urso turned in a pair of hits, driving in a pair of runs and scoring another.
• Lefthanded pitcher Michael D'Emo made his first collegiate start for Tampa, throwing the first 2.2 innings while allowing just one run and striking out two.
• Braden Forsyth was the fourth Spartan pitcher to enter the game and earned the win to move to 1-0 on the year. Forsyth went 2.2 innings, scattering a pair of hits while striking out three in a scoreless effort.
• Braydon Nelson picked up his team-leading fourth save of the season, pitching a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Nelson allowed no hits in the frame.

UP NEXT: Tampa heads home for a weekend Sunshine State Conference series with visiting Palm Beach Atlantic University. Friday's opener is slated for 6 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m., doubleheader on Saturday.