Offensive Onslaught Helps Spartans To Sweep In Regular Season Finale
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (23-17, 14-10 SSC) softball team celebrated senior day with a doubleheader sweep over Eckerd College (15-36-1, 5-19 SSC) in a Sunshine State Conference affair. The games also marked the final contest of the season for the Spartans as it won by scores of 7-0 and 12-1 in five innings.
Tampa scored a run in the first inning and added six runs in the sixth to put game one out of reach. Susan Jallo and Becky Vyzas each collected two hits as senior Shannon Kelly had a pair of RBI. Fellow senior Jessica Tejas, Cassie Barnes and Alyssa Marsdale also drove in runs for the Spartans.
Kari Walsh (9-7) started for UT and earned her third shutout of the year while striking out four Tritons in 7.0 innings of work. The junior from Palm Bay, Fla., allowed just four hits on the game.
In game two, a total of 10 Spartans had a hit as Vyzas and Tejas led the way with two singles apiece. Tejas drove in two runs as Julie Wisniewski, Jallo, Vyzas, Walsh, Brittany Dattilo and Brie Walton each drove in a run.
Heather Van Landingham (14-10) pitched her final game as a Spartan, throwing 5.0 innings while surrendering just two hits and striking out two. The senior from Tampa concluded her UT career with a 43-28 record, finishing fourth in program history in wins and third with 464 strikeouts.
The Spartans finished the year with the program's fourth consecutive winning season. Head coach Leslie Kanter will welcome back seven starters next season along with pitcher Deanna Henriott. The single-season strikeout leader sat out the entire 2010 season and has two years of eligibility remaining.