Spartans Squander Early Lead in SSC Series Opener at Lynn

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans dropped a 9-5 decision in its Sunshine State Conference opener on Thursday at Lynn University.

Final: Lynn University Fighting Knights 9, No. 1 Tampa Spartans 5

Records: Tampa (42-6, 23-5 SSC), Lynn (22-26, 8-20 SSC)

Location: Lynn Baseball Field | Boca Raton, Fla. 

All-Time Series: Lynn snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Spartans as the series is now 85-26 in favor of Tampa.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Tampa scored three runs before recording an out in the opening frame. The first four UT hitters reached base as Stephen Klein plated the first run on a double that crossed NCAA Division II all-time hits leader E.J. Cumbo. Anthony Nunez would come around and score on a wild pitch after reaching via walk. Klein would then score the third run for UT on a single off the bat of J.P. Gates. Top 1 | 3-0 UT
• Lynn would score eight unanswered runs, including five in the fourth inning. Bottom 6 | 8-3 Lynn
• UT would respond with a pair of runs on a two-run seventh-inning home run from Klein. Top 7 | 8-5 Lynn
• The Fighting Knights would add an insurance run to seal the upset over the nation's top-ranked team. Bottom 7 | 9-5 Lynn

AT THE PLATE:

• Klein: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
• Cumbo: 2-5, 2 R
• Gates: 2-5, 1 RBI

ON THE MOUND:

• Ashton Pocol made his fourth start of his sophomore season in a no-decision. He would throw 3.0 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. Pocol struck out three Fighting Knights while walking none.
• Jeremy Goins suffered his first loss of the season, now standing at 1-1.
• Freshman Stephen Rojas tossed 2.0 innings, followed by Ryan Stefiuk for 0.2 innings and Drew Howard for 1.0 innings.
• Beckett White pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth as the sixth Spartan pitcher of the day.

UP NEXT: After clinching the 2024 SSC championship outright, UT will conclude its regular season with a Friday twinbill at Lynn. Game one is slated to start at noon.