Spartans Take Series Over Mississippi College in Rubber Game Slugfest

CLINTON, Miss. – The No.2 University of Tampa Spartans outlasted the Mississippi College Choctaws in a thrilling slugfest.

Final Score:  No. 2 University of Tampa Spartans 12, Mississippi College Choctaws 11

Records: Tampa (13-3), Mississippi College (6-12) 

Location: Frierson Field at Dickins-Scoper Stadium || Clinton, Miss.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the series 5-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Tampa opened the scoring in the top of the first inning on a J.D. Urso single that scored Jordan Lala. | 1-0 Spartans
• In the bottom of the first inning, a leadoff walk combined with a throwing error and a hit batsmen loaded the bases with one away. Kolby McWilliams put the Choctaws in front with a 2 RBI single to left field. A hit parade ensued as Jordan Rollins had a long single to load the bases once again and Alex McWhorter brought in two more runners with an opposite field double. After getting the second out of the inning, two consecutive walks that resulted in another run chased Tampa starter Skylar Gonzalez from the game. Eric Linder entered and struck out the first batter he faced to get out of the jam. | 5-1 Choctaws
• Mississippi College added to their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Despite loading the bases with one out, the Choctaws could only plate one runner on a McWhorter sacrifice fly to right field. | 6-1 Choctaws 
• Tampa put together a huge two-out rally in the top of the third inning to get back into the game. After E.J. Doskow singled and Santiago Garavito reached safely on a walk, Anthony Nunez blasted an opposite field three-run home run to cut the deficit by more than half. | 6-4 Choctaws
• In the top of the fourth inning, a single, hit by pitch and walk loaded bases with one out for the Spartans. An RBI Groundout by Urso put the Spartans within one. The following batter Doskow put Tampa back in front with a two-RBI single into center field. | 7-6 Spartans
• Mississippi College would answer right back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Following a one-out double by McWhorter, Bryce LaRocca deposited a go-ahead two-run home run over the left field wall. | 8-7 Choctaws
• In the top of the sixth inning, Lala walked to lead off the inning. After advancing to 2^nd base on a Drew Ehrhard groundout, Lala came around to score as the tying run on an Urso single up the middle. | Tied 8-8
• Mississippi College ended the short-lived stalemate in the bottom of the sixth inning. Beau Kirsch contributed to the back-and-forth nature of the game as his single to center field was misplayed, allowing LaRocca to score as the go-ahead run. The Choctaws added to their newfound lead with a sacrifice fly by J.T. Vance. | 10-8 Choctaws
• Tampa put together another comeback effort in the top of the seventh inning. A walk, single through the right side and error on a sacrifice bunt attempt loaded the bases with no outs for the Spartans. A balk was called on Mississippi College pitcher Brandon Gardner to score a run and ended his afternoon. Lala tied the game on an RBI fielder's choice. | Tied 10-10
• In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jordan Rollins roped a line drive solo shot to right field to put the Choctaws back in the lead. | 11-10 Choctaws
• With the game far from being over, Tampa took the lead for good in the top of the eighth inning. An Urso bloop double started the inning and he advanced to third base on a wild pitch during the next plate appearance. Doskow walked, bringing up Garavito, and Urso came home and scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly. The Spartans went back in front of the Choctaws on an RBI double tucked into the left field corner that allowed Doskow to score from first base. | 12-11 Spartans
• As Tampa squandered a prime opportunity for insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, Mississippi College was able to get the tying and winning runs into scoring position in the bottom half of the inning. Jack Brodsky entered as the third pitcher of the inning, but prevented either runner from touching home as he struck out back-to-back batters looking to end the game. | Final: 12-11 Spartans

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Nunez went 2-4 with 4 RBI and 1 home run
• Urso went 3-5 with 3 RBI, 1 double and 1 walk
• Ashton Pocol earned his first win of his collegiate career, tossing 2.2 IP in relief and allowing 1 earned run
• Brodsky notched his first save as a Spartan and kept his 0.00 ERA intact

UP NEXT: The Spartans return to Tampa and begin a five-game homestand against Seton Hill on Monday, March 6 at 3 p.m.