Undefeated at the Winter Invitational for the Spartans

HOUSTON, Tx. – The #2 University of Tampa Spartans beat #5 Central Missouri and went undefeated at the Winter Invitational.

Final: #2 University of Tampa Spartans 16, #5 Central Missouri Mules 4

Records: Tampa (3-0), Central Missouri (1-2)

Location: Minute Maid Park || Houston, TX. 

All-Time Series: Spartans improve their record to 6-4 over the Mules.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a leadoff walk by E.J. Cumbo, Jake Griffith decided to light the fireworks off early by annihilating the ball to the right field stands for a 2-run homerun. Mid 1 | Tampa 2-0
• Griffith and Stephen Klein would both receive bases-loaded walks to bring home two more Spartans. Mid 2 | Tampa 4-0
• After a Nico Saladino Walk, Cumbo would hit one the opposite way to the short porch in left field to give the Spartans two more runs. After Klein and Anthony Nunez walked, Brayden Woodburn would drive in Klein with a double down the left-field line. Mike Valdez would get a chance to pinch-hit. Valdez delivered with a rope through the left side to bring Woodburn and Nunez home. Mid 6 | Tampa 9-3
• Woodburn would walk and advance to second on a throwing error by the pitcher on a pickoff attempt. Danny Gutcher would drive him in with a double to left center. Mid 8 | Tampa 10-4
• T.J. Palma would walk to start the inning. Cumbo would rip a single to right field that would end up going past the right fielder and bring home Palma. Griffith followed with a single to bring home Cumbo. Nunez and Woodburn would join the hit parade both with doubles to bring home three Spartans. Palma would come up to the plate and drive in Woodburn with a groundball to the shortstop. Mid 9 | Tampa 16-4

AT THE PLATE:

• Cumbo: 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, and 2 BB.
• Griffith: 2-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, and 1 BB.
• Woodburn: 2-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, and 2 BB.

ON THE MOUND:

• Tobin Moran started the game, throwing 3 innings, giving up 2 runs, 5 hits, and striking out 2.
• Ashton Pocol followed, throwing 2 innings, giving up 1 run, 2 hits, and striking out 1.
• Andrew Carson then came into relief, throwing 1.2 innings, giving up 1 run, 2 hits, and striking out 2.
• Michael Alfonso then came into relief, throwing 1.1 innings, giving up no runs and no hits.
• Nunez closed out the ninth.

UP NEXT: #2 Tampa will host #12 Newberry in their home opener for a three-game set starting Friday, Feb. 9, at 6:00pm.