Spartans Outslug Lynn in Series Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 6 University of Tampa baseball team won its series opener over Lynn University, staying on track with Rollins for the 2023 Sunshine State Conference regular season championship.

Final Score: No. 6 University of Tampa Spartans 9, Lynn University Fighting Knights 2
Records: Tampa (35-9, 24-4 SSC), Lynn (16-25-1, 7-18 SSC)
Location: UT Baseball Field || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa now leads the all-time series 83-25, winning 13 straight over the Fighting Knights.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Spartans took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single from J.D. Urso and 2-run double off the bat of Jamarcus Lyons. | 3-0 Tampa
• E.J. Cumbo added two more runs to the board for UT, plating Jordan Lala and Nico Saladino on a second-inning single. | 5-0 Tampa
• Lynn scored its first run in the top of the seventh on a single. | 5-1 Tampa
• A four-run seventh for Tampa extended the Spartan lead. Urso had an RBI double, followed by an RBI double from Anthony Nunez. A wild pitch and Saladino sacrifice fly would account for the other two Spartan runs in the seventh. | 9-1 Tampa
• The Fighting Knights loaded the bases in the ninth, and crossed one run before UT registered the final out. | 9-2 Tampa

 INSIDE THE STATS:

• Ehrhard moved closer to the all-time hits record as he collected two hits. He now stands at 336 career hits, which is three shy of Ronnie Merrill's school record of 339. Ehrhard also scored two runs and drew a walk.
• Lala, Urso, Cumbo and Saladino each recorded two hits for UT.
• Michael Paul was the winning pitcher for the Spartans as the senior improved to 5-2 on the season. He went 6.0 shutout innings, giving up four hits while striking out four.
• Jack Brodsky, Braydon Nelson and Michael D'Emo followed with 2.0 innings of one-hit work.
• Freshman Ashton Pocol was called upon to get the final out, entering with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth. Pocol would need just three pitches to escape the jam and cement the Spartan victory.

UP NEXT: The Spartans and Fighting Knights meet for a Saturday twinbill at 3 p.m. Tampa will honor its 18 seniors immediately following the first game of the doubleheader.