Spartans Split Opening Day Doubleheader

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Kicking off its 2016 campaign, the University of Tampa softball team split its season-opening twinbill at the Eckerd College Softball Tournament at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.  The Spartans took a 6-1 victory over Ursuline to begin the day before being dealt a 12-0 loss by No. 6 Valdosta State.

UT begins the year an even 1-1 while Ursuline starts its season 0-1.  The Blazers of VSU improved to 6-1 after their five-inning win over Tampa.

Senior Alyssa Bache led the Spartans at the plate, hitting 3-for-6 with a trio of doubles and three RBI.  Shortstop Sahrina Cortes added a pair each of base-hits and runs from the leadoff spot while junior Bre Setree mirrored with a pair of hits and a run scored for UT. 

Freshman Makaleigh Dooley and Kelsey Humphrey recorded multiple hits on the as the Spartan offense hit .326 as a team between the two games.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Tampa outdueled the Arrows of Ursuline by a 6-1 score. Dooley (1-0) started in the circle for UT, retiring the first 11 batters she faced.  The hurler picked up a win in her first collegiate start of the season, tossing seven innings while allowing a lone earned run off of three hits while sending nine batters down on strikes.

Opposite Dooley was Ursuline pitcher Brittany Humbel (0-1) who was tabbed with the loss after surrendering four runs off of five hits while issuing four walks to UT.

Tampa was unable to match the torrid offense of the No. 6 Blazers, as Valdosta claimed the second game of the day by a 12-0 score in five innings. Bache (0-1) was the pitcher of record in the nightcap, throwing 3.2 innings while allowing eight earned runs behind four hits and eight walks.

VSU starter Caitlyn Calhoun (4-0) picked up the win, scattering four hits and striking out seven.

UT will continue the tournament with a Saturday contest against regional opponent Palm Beach Atlantic University at 11 a.m. at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Live stats will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com or the new UT Spartans Front Row app available in both the Apple App Store and through Google Play, free of charge.

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