Tampa Welcomes Florida Tech for Home Opener
After three weekends on the road, UT will play its first home series of 2017 against the Panthers
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team will host the Florida Tech Panthers for its second SSC series and first set of games at home since starting with three road weekends.
Date/Time: Friday, February 24th at 6 p.m. and Saturday, February 21st beginning at 12 p.m. for a doubleheader.
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field | Tampa, Fla.
About the Spartans: After winning the series against the Rollins College Tars, UT stands at 8-2 (2-1 SSC) on the season. The Spartans are led by Maddie Farrell and Elly Pillers, who are both tied for first on the team with a .440 average. The pitching duo of Makaleigh Dooley and Corynn Miner are both off to 4-1 starts this season. Miner currently has a 1.66 ERA and has struck out 38 batters in 33.2 innings of work while Dooley has a 2.47 ERA in 34 innings tossed and has 31 strikeouts.
About the Panthers: FIT comes into the series with a 10-5 overall record and has yet to play a conference game this year. In the circle, the Panthers are led by senior Rachel Pence, who has started the season with a 7-2 record and has a 2.44 ERA, having given up 30 runs (22 earned) in 63 innings. Pence was named to Fastpitch News First Team All-American Team prior to the season. At the plate, Florida Tech will look to Alexus Smith (.438 AVG) and Vanessa Rubio (.366 AVG) to power the offense. Smith has scored 11 runs in 10 games with six doubles while Rubio has seven runs and seven RBI in 14 games and has drawn eight walks this year.
Series History: Tampa owns the all-time series with a 47-39 overall record. UT will be looking to avenge last season's sweep at the hands of FIT in Melbourne, Fla.
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