Galhouse, Feldman Throw Shutouts as the Spartans Sweep Bulldogs

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa's softball team battled against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in a Tuesday afternoon twin bill. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Game One Final: No. 14 Tampa Spartans 1, Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 0

Game Two Final: No. 14 Tampa Spartans 1, Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 0

Records: No. 14 Tampa Spartans (13-8), Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (13-4)

Location: Naimoli Stadium | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: After today's doubleheader sweep over the Bulldogs, the series is now even at 2-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME ONE:

Bottom 2nd 

Corynn Miner started things off, hitting a single up the middle. Lexie Chevalier then put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Miner to second (1 out). Alexa Russo made her way to second after the Bulldogs shortstop overthrew first base, moving Miner to third. Lilly Kiester then grounded out for the third out of the inning.

Bottom 3rd

With two outs against the Spartans, Stephanie Balmer hit a single up the middle that would be just out of the Bulldogs pitcher Lauren Dixon's reach. Lauren Fantone reached first after grounding it to the second base player, who fumbles the ball. The Bulldog's second error of the game. 

Top 7th

The Bulldogs showed promise by leading off the inning with a triple to right field by Swank. Potts, a pinch hitter for the Bulldogs, looking to score the leading run, would fly out to left field, ending the inning. The Bulldogs left one on base.

Bottom 7th

Avery Perkins and Mariah Galhouse got on base by hitting back-to-back singles, putting the walk-off run in scoring position. However, the Spartans were unable to secure the win as the next two batters would pop up and ground out to end the inning and extend the game.

Bottom 8th

Miner got on base, hitting the first pitch from Dixon past the second base player. Chevalier grounded into a fielder's choice, resulting in Miner getting thrown out at second. Nicole Schmitt, would keep the game alive for the Bulldogs with a double play that would end the inning.

Bottom 9th

Miranda Perez pinch hit for Emalee Jansen, and walked, Jansen would then reenter to take first for Perez. Kiester would put down a sacrifice bunt to move Jansen over to second. Perkins hit a ground ball to second base and successfully ran it out for an infield single, Jansen would advance to third. Galhouse, with runners on first and third, lined out to center field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Jansen for the walk-off run. | 1-0 (Spartans)

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME ONE:

• (W) Galhouse (5-5); 9IP, 7KO, 6H; 1-3, RBI
• (L) Dixon (5-1); 8.2IP, 5KO, 8H, ER, 2BB
• Miner; 3-4
• Perkins; 2-4

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME TWO:

Bottom 4th

Galhouse registered the first hit of the game for the Spartans. A sacrifice bunt from Balmer advanced Galhouse to second. Miner up next hit a grounder straight to the Bulldogs pitcher, allowing Miner to first as she was unable to throw it in time, Galhouse advanced to third. Russo then hit an RBI single to left field to score the game-winning run. | 1-0 (Spartans)

Top 7th

The Bulldogs ended Mary Beth Feldman's no-hitter efforts with a base hit to right-center field. However, the Spartans regrouped and fielded a ground ball to Miner, throwing out Bulldogs' Burkhardt at first base to end the game.

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME TWO:

• (W) Feldman (3-1); 7IP, 5KO, H
• (L) Pederson (3-3); 6IP, 7KO, 3H, ER
• Russo; 1-2, RBI
• Miner; 1-2
• Galhouse; 1-3, R

BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Spartans end a four-game losing streak.
• Balmer ends a five-game hitting drought.
• Galhouse; four RBI's in the last six games.

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Southwest Minnesota State in a doubleheader Thursday, March 10 at 2:00 and 4:00 pm in Tampa, Fla.