Tampa Drops Doubleheader to No. 4 Lions

TAMPA, Fla – The University of Tampa Spartans wrapped up their three game series against the No. 4 Saint Leo University Lions on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader. Saint Leo took both games to complete the sweep of Tampa as they won the first game 5-0 and the second game 4-1 in eight innings.

With the series complete, Tampa's overall record is 13-17 and 5-10 in conference play. The Lions in the meantime improve their record to 34-1 on the season and 17-1 in the SSC.

Pitching for the Spartans in the second game of the series was freshman Makaleigh Dooley (5-8). Dooley gave up five runs with four of them being earned as she also had five strikeouts to go with two walks. The runs for the Lions came in the first after an error by the Spartans allowed one run to score and in the seventh as they added four runs.

Opposite Dooley and starting for Saint Leo was Alana Tabel (12-0). The senior pitcher gave up no runs on four hits by UT, struck out three, and tossed no walks to earn the win.

At the plate in the first game of the day, the offense for Tampa was shutout for the second game in a row as only four batters were able to record hits but all of them were singles. Their best chance at scoring came in the bottom of the seventh as they looked to extend the game but despite having runners on first and second they fell short as a hit to second ended the game.

Senior Alyssa Bache (8-8) was the pitcher of choice for the second game of the day for the Spartans. Bache spread out seven hits across the eight innings of work but was tagged with the loss as she gave up the four runs, all of them being unearned, to go with one walk. The senior added 10 more strikeouts on the day which brings her season total to 126 in 113.2 innings pitched.

In the circle to start the game for the Lions was Samantha Tyler (6-0). The sophomore pitched the first four innings but was pulled from the game in the bottom of the 5th inning and a runner on first with the score tied 1-1. Tyler gave up the run to go with four hits but did strikeout seven batters while giving up no walks. Junior Stephanie Adkins came on in relief and was tagged with the win as she pitched the final four innings giving up just one hit and striking out two batters of her own.

The five hits for the Spartans came as a result of two doubles by third baseman Bre Setree, two singles by left fielder Savannah Jerkins and one single by Bache. The lone run for UT was scored by freshman Lauren Pascoe in the bottom of the fourth inning as she pinch ran for Setree who doubled to open the inning. After Pascoe reached third on a passed ball, Bache brought the runner home with her single through the left side of the infield.

Tampa will be back in action on Friday April 15th as they host the Eckerd College Tritons for a three game series. The first game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Softball Field on Friday and first pitch for the doubleheader on Saturday is set for 12:00 p.m.

Live stats, as well as a live broadcast, will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com as well as on the UT Spartans Front Row app.

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