Spartans Sweep Saturday Over Eagles

TAMPA, Fla. –  The University of Tampa softball team wrapped up their regular season series with the Eagles on Saturday with a noon start to the doubleheader. Tampa took both games on the day to win the series for the second year in a row.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game One):

Final: Tampa 4 (W: Makaleigh Dooley 15-9), Embry-Riddle 1 (L: Jackson 6-2) 
Records: Spartans (18-13, 9-8 SSC), Eagles (25-7, 13-4 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: UT leads the all-time series against ERAU 7-3.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Top 1st: The Eagles used a bunt that found its way to the outfield to take a 1-0 lead as a runner was able to score from second on the play.

Bott. 3rd: Erica Matich reached first base on a throwing error by the pitcher as the ball had been hit back to her. After moving to third on two sacrifice bunts, Matich was able to score on a hit by Dooley up the middle that was fielded by the shortstop but not in time to end the inning as Dooley reached first base safely.

Bott. 6th: With the game tied 1-1, Bailey Phillips hit a one-out single to right field that found the space between the first baseman and right fielder. Mackenzie Allen replaced Phillips as a pinch runner and moved to second on a single to left field by Maddie Farrell. Lauren Pascoe replaced Farrell as a pinch runner. With two outs, Taylor Farrell came through with a clutch double to left field that scored both runners to give Tampa the lead. Looking to extend the lead, Emalee Jansen stepped up and hit a double to left field that allowed pinch runner Breanna Taphouse to score after the Eagles catcher was called for interference in blocking the plate before having the ball in her glove as UT opened up a 4-1 lead.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• T.Farrell finished the game going 2 for 3 at the plate with the two key RBI. 
• Dooley threw 51 pitches with 36 going for strikes.
• The two teams combined to leave 11 runners on base.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• UT has now scored 95 runs on the season. 
• The Spartans have 55 extra base hits.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game Two):

Final (9 Innings): Tampa 2 (W: Dooley 16-9), Embry-Riddle 1 (L: Andringa 16-6) 
Records: Spartans (19-13, 10-8 SSC), Eagles (25-8, 13-5 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: UT leads the all-time series against ERAU 8-3.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Top 2nd: The Eagles again scored first in the game as they scored once in the inning to take the lead.

Bott. 4th: M.Farrell reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a single to right field by Jansen. T.Farrell hit a rocket down the left field line that made its way to the left fielder quick enough that the Spartan lead runner was held at third base. With the bases loaded, Cristina Clauberg was hit by a pitch that drove in the tying run. 

Bott. 9th: T.Farrell reached to open the inning on a single to the third baseman. Matich then put two runners on with nobody out as she made it safely to second on a throwing error by the first baseman as Clauberg laid down a bunt and reached on the fielder's choice. Both runners then moved 60 feet up on a wild pitch and Matich came in to score the walk-off run on another wild pitch as Tampa completed the comeback.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dooley tossed her second complete game of the day and 21st of the season as she gave up just the one run, no walks, and struck out five batters.
• Clauberg had the lone RBI of the game in the 4th inning.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• For the second season in a row, the Spartans have come back from dropping the Friday night game against the Eagles to win both Saturday games and the series.

UP NEXT:

The team will be back on the road this coming week as they travel to Miami Shores, Fla. to take on the Barry Buccaneers in their second to last road series of the season.

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