Spartans Split Saturday Doubleheader with Panthers
A pair of home runs in the first game paced the offense as Tampa won two of three
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team won the three-game series over Florida Tech 2-1 after splitting the doubleheader on Saturday. The Spartans won the first game 5-3 before the Panthers salvaged the series with a 4-0 win in the finale.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game one):
Final: Tampa 5 (W: Sam Kaye 1-2 S: Makaleigh Dooley 1), Florida Tech 3 (L: Krutsinger 3-4)
Records: Spartans (10-8, 5-3 SSC), Panthers (7-11, 0-5 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series against Rollins 64-49.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Top 1st: The Spartans took no time in opening the scoring. With two outs on the board, Dooley sent the first pitch she saw past the left field line for her first homerun of the season.
Bott. 1st: The Panthers came right back as they took the lead 2-1 after one inning.
Top 3rd: Sahrina Cortes opened the inning with a leadoff double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A throwing error by the catcher allowed Cortes to come in safely to home plate and give Tampa the lead again.
Top 5th: With one out on the board, Shelby Press singled to left field. After the second out of the inning, Bailey Phillips hit a two-run bomb to left-center field that made it 4-2 in the visitor's favor.
Bott. 6th: FIT was able to get one run back in the inning to make it 4-3 as they looked to fight for the lead.
Top 7th: Lauren Pascoe kicked off the final inning with a double to right field. Cortes moved her over to third base with a sacrifice bunt. Press sent a flyball to left field that allowed Pascoe to tag up on third base and score on the sacrifice fly for the final run of the game as Tampa won 5-3.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Kaye pitched 5.1 innings, giving up just two earned runs on six hits and striking out six with no walks.
- Dooley came in and pitched the final 1.2 innings giving up no hits, no walks, no runs, and striking out five batters.
- The two teams combined for 11 runners left on base.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- The Spartans have now hit three home runs.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game Two):
Final: Tampa 0 (L: Dooley 9-7), Florida Tech 4 (W: Perry 2-0 S: Krutsinger 1)
Records: Spartans (10-9, 5-4 SSC), Panthers (8-11, 1-5 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series against Rollins 64-50.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Florida Tech scored a run in the first inning, a run in the third inning, and two runs in the fifth inning to win the finale.
Tampa had a shot in the final inning as they were able to load the bases and bring the tying run up to the plate but Krutsinger was able to shut the door on UT.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Kaye pitched 5.1 innings, giving up just two earned runs on six hits and striking out six with no walks.
- Dooley came in and pitched the final 1.2 innings giving up no hits, no walks, no runs, and striking out five batters.
- The two teams combined for 11 runners left on base.
UP NEXT:
The team will again take a break from conference play as they host Southwest Minnesota State and Chestnut Hill on Tuesday and Wednesday for a pair of doubleheaders.
TAMPA SPARTANS MOBILE APP:
A free app is also available for free download through Apple and Google Play stores. Please search for Tampa Spartans Front Row.
RECEIVE TEXT AND EMAIL ALERTS:
UT also offers free messaging service for text and/or email, which sends alerts and press releases for Spartan teams. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.