Tampa Holds Eckerd Scoreless to Win Friday Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa opened a three game conference matchup against the Eckerd College Tritons on Friday night at the Naimoli Family Softball Field. The Spartans took game one of the series by a 1-0 final score as they held Eckerd to one hit on the night.

With the first game in the books, Tampa now stands at 14-17 on the season and has a 6-10 conference record while Eckerd falls to 24-19-1 overall and are 8-10 in SSC play.

Senior Alyssa Bache (9-8) was in the circle for the Spartans as she made her 18th start of the season. Bache was in complete control the entire game as she pitched seven innings to earn her 9th win of the season. The senior gave up just one hit on the night and had one walk. She kept the Triton offense from doing much as she threw 14 strikeouts in the game, bringing her season total to an even 140.

Making her 26th start of the season for the Tritons was Nikole Van Gennep (14-14). The freshman gave up six hits with just two strikeouts and no walks. She gave up the only run scored in the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Coming off a pair of series where UT struggled to get in rhythm at the plate, the team finally managed to have the six hits on the night and scored the one run that would end up being enough to clinch the win. Bache helped herself out at the plate in the bottom of the sixth as she hit a double to left field that reached all the way to the wall. Nikki Alfano came in as a pinch runner and would move to third base as senior Alyssa Colletti did her task and had a sacrifice bunt. Designated player Jennie Sittloh came up to bat and sent a pitch right back up the middle past the pitcher and second baseman that scored Alfano. Left fielder Savannah Jerkins also had a solid night at the plate as she was the only Spartan to have more than one hit, going 2 for 3 on the night.

The series will conclude tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Softball Field.

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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