Spartans Take Pair From #16 Barry

TAMPA, Fla. - It took 15 innings for the University of Tampa to figure out 16th-ranked Barry University as the Spartans took a pair from the nationally-ranked Buccaneers behind the bat of Kelly Glover. UT took game one by a score of 3-2 and registered a 2-0 shutout in the second game of the day. The Spartans improve to 7-10 on the season and 3-2 in Sunshine State Conference play while the Bucs fall to 13-7 and 0-2 in league action.

In game one, the Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the first inning courtesy of three Barry errors. The Buccaneers answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second, evening the score at 2-2. The game remained even until the 15th inning when the Spartans mounted a two-out rally. Samantha Becker and Brandi Blout singles were followed by a game-winning single to center by Glover.

Devlin Dougherty started for UT, pitching eight innings while giving up just two runs on seven hits while striking out nine. She gave way to Krystal Crooks, who earned the win in relief after throwing seven scoreless innings and allowing four hits while fanning two.

In the second game, a two run single by Glover in the first inning was the lone scoring of the contest. Michele Horan led the game off with a triple and was followed by a single by Becker and walk by Dougherty, loading the bases and setting the stage for a two-run single to leftfield for Glover.

Freshman Heather Van Landingham threw a gem, recording a shutout while allowing just two hits on the afternoon. She also displayed excellent command, striking out five Buccaneers while walking none.

The teams will conclude the three-game series tomorrow at 12 noon in a game that was rescheduled from Saturday.