Dooley, Spartans Re-Write the History Books

SAINT LEO, Fla. –  The University of Tampa softball team capped off the regular season by taking the series over Saint Leo and earning their 22nd victory in conference, which is the most in school history. Makaleigh Dooley earned her 26th winning decision of the year, setting the single season record for wins in the circle. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 7 (W: Makaleigh Dooley, 26-7), Saint Leo 4 (L: Rachel Bean, 7-5)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (32-11, 22-8 SSC), Saint Leo University Lions (31-16, 20-10 SSC)
Location: University Softball Stadium || Saint Leo, Fla.
All-Time Series: In 126 meetings, the Lions lead 66-61; however, the Spartans have won the last seven of nine games. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

BOT 1st: The Lions took an early lead with a two-run homer from Sarah Pauscher, her fourth of the year. 

BOT 3rd: To lead off the inning, Bailey Burk singled up the middle and advanced to second on the next play, as Kacie Kelly singled and both runners advanced on an error. With two runners in scoring position, Pauscher lined a single into the left-field corner to extend the lead to 4-0.

TOP 5th: Emalee Jansen began the inning with an infield single. Dooley reached on a fielders choice and advanced to second after a Bailey Phillips base-knock. After a sacrifice bunt from Stephanie Balmer, fellow freshman Lexie Chevalier chopped a single off the pitchers' glove and up the middle. To continue the two-out rally, Cristina Clauberg walked and scored on a three-run homerun from Corynn Miner. 

TOP 7th: Chevalier led off with an opposite field base-hit and advanced to second on a sacrifice from Clauberg. Miner reached on a walk and moved to second after a single from Maddie Farrell. Jansen walked as well, with the bases-loaded, which provided an insurance run for the Spartans. After going down in the count 0-2, Dooley poked a base-hit to right field which scored Miner with two outs. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dooley finished the regular season with her 26th victory of the year, which set the school record for wins in a season. The right-hander went the distance for the 27th time in 31 starts.
• The senior right-hander walked her first batter in 61.2 innings; She walked the first batter against Barry University on April 5, as the streak lasted for seven games. 
• Farrell has reached base safely in 25 straight games.
• The Spartans scored all seven runs with two outs. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Spartans won their 22nd conference game, the most in UT history. The 32 overall wins are the most since 2014.
• Tampa registered four homeruns in the three-game series. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa await their post-season fate, the NCAA will release one final regional ranking this Wednesday, May 1, while the Selection Show will take place on Monday, May 6th - live on NCAA.com.

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