Spartans and Sailfish Split Saturday Matches

TAMPA, Fla. –  The 16th ranked University of Tampa softball team concluded its regular season series with the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish with a Saturday doubleheader. Tampa evened the series at one game apiece after taking the second game 2-1 but PBA took a high-scoring, 13 innings, series finale 8-7.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 2 (W: Miner 10-3), Palm Beach Atlantic 1 (L: Wagner 4-5) 
Records: Spartans (24-7), Sailfish (24-15)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa hold a slight edge of 12-10 over Palm Beach in the all-time series.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Bottom 2nd: Makaleigh Dooley opened the inning with a double to right-center. Lauren Pascoe replaced her as a pinch runner and came in to score as Maddie Farrell doubled to left-center field.

Top 4th: The Sailfish tied the game at 1-1 on a sacrifice fly. 

Bottom 6th: Dooley drew a one-out walk and advance to second on a fielding error by the second baseman. M.Farrell recorded another RBI as she singled to center field and allowed Dooley to come in to score. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Miner conceded just one run across the complete 7-inning game as she forced the Sailfish into leaving eight runners on base. 
• M.Farrell went 2 for 2 at the plate and had 2 RBI and drew one walk.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Tampa is now 6-2 in games in which they score two runs. 
• UT has drawn four walks in two of the last three games.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 7 (L: Dooley 14-5), Palm Beach Atlantic 8 (W: Brinegar 7-6) 
Records: Spartans (24-8), Sailfish (25-15)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa hold a slight edge of 12-11 over Palm Beach in the all-time series.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Top 1st: The Sailfish took no time in opening the scoring as three runs crossed home plate.

Bottom 1st: Tampa was able to answer the call as they scored two runs to make it a one run game. Elly Pillers reached on an error to open the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Bre Setree doubled to left-center field to bring Pillers home. Pascoe replaced Setree as a pinch-runner and moved to third on a single by Dooley. Miner scored Pascoe on a single to left field that made it 3-2.

Top 2nd: Palm Beach extended their run to 7-2 as they scored four runs in their half of the inning.

Bottom 2nd: With runners on first and second, Pillers singled to center field to load the bases. Taylor Farrell stepped up to the plate and was hit by a pitch to score one run for the home side. Setree followed that up with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Shelby Press and cut the deficit to 7-4. 

Bottom 3rd: Press stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a single to center field that scored two runs and cut the deficit to one. Pillers doubled down the right field line to score one more run and tie the game up.

Top 13th: After 10 scoreless innings of a defensive battle, the 'Fish managed to squeeze in a run that was enough to win the game.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• The Spartans have hit two doubles in three of the last four games.
• Each team left 16 runners on base across the 13 innings. 
• Press went 3 for 6 with 2 RBI and 1 run scored. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The 16 hits for the Spartans was a season high.
• UT has now scored 141 runs this season and has 132 RBI.

UP NEXT:

The team will have little time to reflect on this series as they will travel to play at #5 Saint Leo University Wednesday and Thursday for a crucial three-game conference series.

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