Sixth Inning Spark Lifts Spartans Past Eckerd

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In game one of a three game series with Eckerd College, The University of Tampa softball team came out sluggish but managed to get the 3-2 win over the Tritons. The victory improves Tampa to 18-12 on the season and 5-2 in Sunshine State Conference play as the Spartans have now won 13 of their last 15 games.

In the top of the fourth, with two outs, Kelly Glover hit a solo homerun deep to left field to take a 1-0 lead. Eckerd countered quickly in the bottom by a Danielle Sedoris single down the right field line that drove in Danielle Sedoris and Amy Brandt taking a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth, neither team could alter the score as it stood at 2-1 in favor of the Tritons. In the sixth, Tampa made an exceptional hit and came up big, starting out with a lead off blast to centerfield by Michele Horan, tying the score at 2-2. Kallan Casey doubled to mid-center field and reached third after a sac bunt by Samantha Becker. Devlin Dougherty collected the RBI, driving in Casey and also taking the lead 3-2.

The Tritons could not answer the Spartans sixth inning run falling to 13-20 on the year and 1-6 in league play.

The same two teams will resume battle tomorrow in St. Petersburg as a 6 p.m. doubleheader will conclude the three-game series.