Spartans Spilt Against Saint Leo

SAINT LEO, Fla. –  The University of Tampa softball team spilt the Thursday night doubleheader at Saint Leo, as Makaleigh Dooley tied the single season record with 25 wins on the season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game One):

Final: Tampa 5 (W: Makaleigh Dooley, 25-6) , Saint Leo 1 (L: Auria Mounts, 12-7)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (31-10, 21-7 SSC), Saint Leo University Lions (30-15, 19-9 SSC)
Location: University Softball Stadium || Saint Leo, Fla.
All-Time Series: In 125 meetings, the Lions lead 65-60; however, the Spartans have won the last six of seven games. 
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Additionally, @Tampa_Softball on Twitter, and Instagram for social media content and scoring updates.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

TOP 3rd: The Spartans passed the bats in the third inning with a five-run outburst. To lead off the inning, Bailey Phillips reached base on an error on the Lions' pitcher. Lexie Chevalier singled up the middle and scored on Cristina Clauberg's first career home run. Clauberg sent a drive into the left-field netting with a three-run bomb to give Tampa an early lead. Three batters later, Maddie Farrell connected on her third home run of the year; the junior has logged a base hit in 19 of the last 23 games. 

BOT 4th: Saint Leo notched a run on a solo home run by Kendyl Crean. The homer was sent to dead center-field and Corynn Miner had an opportunity to rob the long fly-ball, however the ball went just past her out-reaching glove. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dooley logged her 25th complete game in 29 starts; the senior allowed only three hits and no walks. Dooley has not allowed a walk in the last six games.
• Farrell has reached base safely in 23 straight games; logging a base hit in 19 of those contests.
• Clauberg registered the first home-run of her career with the three-run HR.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Spartans have won 21 of the last 22 games, including a 19-game winning streak to set the school record.
• Dooley tied the school record for most wins in a season (25), which she accomplished last year as well.
• Stephanie Balmer had her 10-game hit streak snapped, however she's recorded a base-knock in 13 of the last 15 games. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game Two):

Final (8 Innings): Saint Leo 4 (W: Rachel Bean, 7-4), Tampa 1 (L: Makaleigh Dooley, 25-7)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (31-11, 21-8 SSC), Saint Leo University Lions (31-15, 20-9 SSC)
Location: University Softball Stadium || Saint Leo, Fla.
All-Time Series: In 126 meetings, the Lions lead 66-60; however, the Spartans have won the last six of eight games. 
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Additionally, @Tampa_Softball on Twitter, and Instagram for social media content and scoring updates.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

BOT 2nd: To lead off the inning, Ashley Morris laid down a bunt single. The next batter, Emily Pilon, reached base on a fielding error and both runners advanced after a muffed throw. With two runners in scoring position, Deanna Falciglia put down a sacrifice bunt and the Lions took the one-run lead on a close play at the plate.

TOP 6th: Freshman outfielder, Lexie Chevalier, sent the first pitch of the inning into the Saint Leo night, flying over the netting behind the fence. Chevalier tied the game with her third home-run of the season. 

BOT 8th: With one out, Sarah Pauscher logged a base-hit up the middle. Pauscher advanced to third on a double from Kendyl Crean, and came around to score on a walk-off homer from Amanda James. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dooley went the distance for the 26th time in 30 starts; the senior struck out three and did not allow a walk. She has not allowed a walk in the last seven games.
• Stephanie Balmer registered a base-knock for the 14th time in the last 16 games. 
• Maddie Farrell reached base safely for the 24th straight game.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This was the fifth extra-inning game for the Spartans this year; UT owns a 3-2 record in extra-inning contests.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will complete the regular season on Friday evening with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch at Saint Leo University.

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