Tampa Sweeps FSU in Midweek Doubleheader

TAMPA, Fla – The University of Tampa Spartans welcomed in the Ferris State University Bulldogs for a midweek double header.  This was the first time that the two schools met since 2003 when Tampa won the only previous matchup. Tampa now has an overall record of 9-7 while the Bulldogs fall to 12-6.

In a very close set of games, UT swept the series with FSU by identical 3-2 scores in the two matches.

In the opening game, senior Alyssa Bache (6-4) took the ball for Tampa for her third start in the last four games. Bache had a solid start to the night as she kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard while allowing only one hit in the first three innings. The senior would go on to earn her 5th win of the season as she threw a complete game, allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out nine and having no walks.

Opposite Bache and starting for Ferris State was junior Megan Jean (1-2). Jean also went the full game but gave up the three runs on eight hits with no walks or strikeouts. UT got to Jean early as they tallied the three runs in the first two innings of play with two of the runs coming in the first inning.  

Leading the way for the Spartans on offense were freshmen Makaleigh Dooley and Cristina Clauberg who went 2 for 3 and 1 for 3 at the plate respectively as well as junior Bre Setree who also went 1 for 3 batting. Clauberg got UT going as she singled with one out in the bottom of the first and Setree would follow up with a double to right center field that allowed Clauberg to open the scoring. After a Dooley single moved Setree to third, Bache added on another hit that scored the second run of the inning. In the second inning, junior Kelsey Humphrey singled with one out. After stealing second, she would go on to score the third run for Tampa off a double to left field from outfielder Sahrina Cortes.

The Bulldogs would do their best to fight back into the game scoring two runs of their own in the fourth inning but Bache would not let it happen as she did not allow any batters to reach base for the remainder of the game.

For the nightcap, UT would go with Dooley (3-2) as the starter. She had a solid start to the game as she did not allow any runs in the first four innings of work despite giving up three hits and one walk. However, in the top of the 5th Ferris State would go on top 2-1 as Alexx Storga and Michelle Tononi drove in a run each. Coach Leslie Kanter would go back to Bache (6-4) for the remainder of the game as she looked to close out the game. Dooley's night ended with the two runs on six hits with one strikeout and one walk.

Taking the circle for FSU was Stacy Thompson (5-1) who came into the game undefeated on the season. The senior would give up the three runs to UT on nine hits while walking one batter and striking out four in six innings of work.

Similar to the first game, Tampa's offense got started early as sophomore Cortes tripled in the first at bat of the game and would score a batter later as Setree singled down the left field line. The Spartans would come back on offense in the bottom of the fifth inning as Cortes was once again the spark as she hit a double down the left field line. She would score on an RBI single by Bache to tie the game at two runs as Dooley would move to second after having drawn a walk in her at bat. Freshman Breanna Taphouse would come in to pinch run for Dooley and would score the eventual game winner as she came all the way home off senior Alyssa Colletti's third hit of the night and a throwing error by left fielder Sam Bates.

The Spartans will be back in action on Friday March 11th as they host the Embry-Riddle Eagles for a weekend conference matchup. The first game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Softball Field and the series will conclude with a double header on Saturday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Live stats, as well as a live broadcast, will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com as well as on the new UT Spartans Front Row app available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, free of charge.

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