Spartans Tame Mustangs in Doubleheader

TAMPA, Fla. –  The University of Tampa softball team hosted the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs for a pair of Tuesday night games. Behind another strong effort in the circle by Makaleigh Dooley and timely hitting, the Spartans took game one of the day 6-0.  The visiting side made it interesting in the second game as they kept the game close but in the end, Tampa completed the sweep with a 3-1 win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game One):

Final: Tampa 6 (W: Dooley 10-7), Southwest Minnesota 0 (L: Crank 3-3) 
Records: Spartans (11-9), Mustangs (4-5)
Location: Naimoli Family Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series against SMSU 3-0.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Bott. 2nd: Emily Proffitt reached on a fielder's choice with one out and advanced to third on a double by Kailee Clark to left field. With two outs on the board, Lauren Pascoe singled to second base and Proffitt was able to come in to score and give Tampa the lead.

Bott. 5th: Pascoe again played a role as she started the inning with a single down the left field line. Sahrina Cortes stepped up to the plate and singled with a bunt that found its way to the circle past the oncoming infielders. Dooley followed her up with a single through the left side that scored both runners and made it 3-0. Lauren Reyes then replaced Dooley as a pinch runner and moved to second on a fielding error by the Mustangs third baseman. With one out left in the inning, Proffitt kept the inning moving as she singled down the left field line to score Reyes. 

Bott. 6th: The Tampa offense was not done yet as Pascoe drew a one-out walk and quickly advanced as she stole second base. Cortes placed two runners in scoring position with a double to left field. Alex Walton made her debut at the plate this season and singled through the left side scoring two more runs for the Spartans. Dooley drove in the final run of the game on a fielders choice that the Mustangs tried to get the out at the plate but the run scored prior to the tag. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Four different Spartans hit a double in the game.
• Dooley tossed 81 pitches with 64 being strikes. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• UT has drawn six walks in the last two games combined. 
• Tampa has eight steals on 12 attempts. 
• This is the fourth shutout of the season by the Spartans.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game Two):

Final: Tampa 3 (W: Sam Kaye 2-2 Sv: Dooley 2), Southwest Minnesota 1 (L: Cull 0-2) 
Records: Spartans (12-9), Mustangs (4-7)
Location: Naimoli Family Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series against SMSU 4-0.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Bott. 1st: The home side did not take long to open the scoring in the final game. Cristina Clauberg drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a fielding error by the second baseman as Dooley placed two runners on with still only one out.  A single through the left side by Bailey Phillips made it 1-0 for Tampa. 

Bott. 3rd: Phillips hit a single to left-center field and had made her way to third on a single to center field by Maddy Farrell. However, a short low throw by the center fielder skipped past the third baseman and allowed Phillips to score. 

Top 4th: The Mustangs broke through for their first run of the day in the top half of the inning.

Bott. 5th: Dooley singled to the shortstop with one away and was replace by Pascoe as a pinch runner. Pascoe moved over to third on a single by Phillips and came in to score one batter later on a sacrifice fly by M.Farrell to center field.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Press hit the lone extra-base hit of the game with a triple.
• Phillips finished the game going 3 for 3 at the plate.
• Kaye went five innings giving up just one run and striking out one player with no walks.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Tampa has recorded 69 runs this season in 21 games. 
• The Spartans have hit at least one extra-base hit in seven straight games.

UP NEXT:

The team will return to the field tomorrow afternoon as they host the Chestnut Hill Griffins for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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