Spartans and Mountain Lions Split Sunday Doubleheader

TAMPA, Fla. –  The University of Tampa softball team wrapped up a busy weekend with a Sunday afternoon doubleheader with Young Harris College. The Spartans took game one in comeback fashion after scoring five times in the bottom of the sixth inning after trailing 2-1 and the Mountain Lions were able to escape with a win in the final game 3-2.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):

Final: Tampa 6 (W: Makaleigh Dooley, 3-3), Young Harris 2 (L: Rosbrugh, 2-3) 
Records: Spartans (3-4), Mountain Lions (3-5)
Location: Naimoli Family Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

Top 4th: The Mountain Lions opened the scoring on the day as they took a 2-0 lead over UT.

Bottom 4th: The Spartans responded quickly as Cristina Clauberg opened the bottom of the inning with a single through the left side. Breanna Taphouse replaced Clauberg as a pinch runner and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dooley. Taphouse than moved over to third on a groundout to the shortstop by Maddie Farrell and came in to score on a double to left field by Bailey Phillips

Bottom 6th: Clauberg was able to reach first base safely on a fielding error by the Mountain Lions third baseman and that drew a pitching change from the visitors. Mackenzie Allen replaced Clauberg as a runner and she advanced to second on another sacrifice bunt by Dooley. M.Farrell drew a walk to place two runners on and was replaced by Erica Matich as a pinch runner. Phillips drew the second walk in the inning to load the bases. Shelby Press was able to bring Allen into home plate on a walk of her own to tie the game up. Emmalee Jansen fought off multiple pitches as she forced a third walk by YHC in the inning to bring in the tiebreaking run. Lauren Pascoe extended the Spartans lead with a single to right field that allowed two more runs to score before Sahrina Cortes doubled to left center field to score the final run of the game.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Five different players recorded at least one RBI for UT.
• Dooley had another impressive showing in the circle as she tossed seven complete innings allowing just two runs while adding seven more strikeouts to her season total and having no walks.
• Tampa and Young Harris combined for 13 runners left on base.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The five walks drawn by the Spartans is the highest for one game this season.
• The six runs scored matches the highest in a game this season for the team.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):

Final: Tampa 2 (L: Dooley 3-4), Young Harris 3 (W: Disi 1-0) 
Records: Spartans (3-5), Mountain Lions (4-5)
Location: Naimoli Family Field | Tampa, Fla.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Bottom 2nd: Phillips hit a one-out single through the left side of the infield and moved to second as Taylor Farrell followed up with a single through the left side as well. Phillips then attempted to steal third on the pitch and managed to slide into the base as the catcher attempted to throw her out. The throw was off target and reached the outfield allowing Phillips to stand up and score on the play.

Top 3rd: The Mountain Lions came right back at the Spartans and scored three times in the top of the inning to take the lead. 

Bottom 6th: Trailing by two and with two outs on the board, T.Farrell tried to recreate a comeback like in the first game as she doubled to left field. Allen came on again as a pinch runner and came all the way around to score from second on a single to center field by Press that allowed Press to advance to second on the throw. Young Harris was able to stop the UT run at one run in the inning and close out the game to split the two-game series.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• T.Farrell went 2 for 2 at the plate including the double.
• Dooley once again went the full seven innings this time striking out three more batters to bring her season total to 35.
• Of the 116 pitches that Dooley tossed, 75 were strikes. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Tampa has drawn a walk in three straight games and has 14 for the year. 
• UT is on a four-game streak with at least one extra-base hit. 

UP NEXT:

The team will now turn their attention to conference play. Tampa opens SSC play next weekend as they travel to Lakeland, Fla. for their first three-game series of the season. UT will take on Florida Southern on Friday night for the opening game and close out the weekend with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader.

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