Tampa Softball Stays Perfect With Doubleheader, Series Sweep at Embry-Riddle

Avery Perkins
Avery Perkins
March 4, 2023

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 3 University of Tampa's softball team finished out a series sweep with a pair of victories on the road over Sunshine State Conference opponent Embry-Riddle University.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Game One Final: No. 3 Tampa 8, Embry-Riddle 3

Game Two Final: No. 3 Tampa 11, Embry-Riddle 5

Records: No. 3 University of Tampa Spartans (11-0, 6-0 SSC), Embry-Riddle University Eagles (10-10, 2-4 SSC)

Location: Embry-Riddle Softball Field | Daytona Beach, Fla.

All-time Series: The Spartans are now 25-17 with a seven-game winning streak in head-to-head matchups against the Sailfish.

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME ONE:

Bottom 1st

Embry-Riddle struck first, taking an early lead on a fielder's choice on their first trip to the plate. | 1-0 ERAU

Top 2nd

The Spartans took the lead with a pair of runs, coming on a Stephanie Balmer sacrifice fly and an RBI single off the bat of Avery Perkins. | 2-1 UT

Top 3rd

An Alexa Russo single crossed the third UT run of the day. | 3-1 UT 

Top 4th

Perkins drove in her second run of the game on a single, as a sacrifice fly from Balmer scored the second Spartan run of the frame. | 5-1 UT

Top 5th

A solo home run from Russo gave UT its first run of the inning, as another would later score on an RBI single from Lexie Chevalier. | 7-1 UT

Top 6th

Mariah Galhouse scored Russo on an RBI single to center. | 8-1 UT

Bottom 7th

The Eagles scored a pair of runs to cut the Spartan margin to five runs. | 8-3 UT

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME ONE:

  • Mary Beth Feldman started in the circle, improving to 4-0 on the season with a 6.0 inning performance. She would allow just four hits and one run while striking out three.

  • Gwen McGinnis pitched the seventh for the Spartans.
  • Russo was 4-for-4 at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring on her home run.
  • Chevalier and Perkins each collected two hits.
  • Lilly Kiester had a triple and also scored a run.
  • Kate DeSimone scored two of the eight UT runs.
  • Perkins reached base three times in a 2-for-2 game with a walk and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME TWO:

Top 1st

The Spartan bats picked up where they left off, crossing three in their first trip to the plate. Chevalier had a two-run double while Galhouse drove in the other Spartan run. | 3-0 UT

Top 2nd

UT plated a pair, coming on a sacrifice fly from Kiester and an RBI single by Russo. | 5-0 UT

Bottom 3rd

Embry-Riddle scored its first run of the game on an RBI groundout. | 5-1 UT 

Top 4th

Following an ERAU run, Tampa responded with a pair of home runs to cross three in its next trip to the plate. Camryn Wineinger belted a two-run home run followed by a solo shot from Galhouse. | 8-1 UT

Bottom 5th

The Eagles continued to fight, scoring two to conclude the fifth inning. The runs came on an RBI double and run-scoring single. | 8-3 UT

Top 6th

The offensive success for the Spartans continued with the visiting team scoring three in the sixth. Kiester drove in the first on an RBI single, and would come around to score on a Galhouse RBI. Chevalier would double home the third UT run of the sixth. | 11-3 UT

Bottom 6th

Embry-Riddle scored a run on an RBI single. | 11-4 UT

Bottom 7th

The Eagles scored a run, coming on a single in their final at bat. | 11-5 UT

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME TWO:

  • Galhouse started for the Spartans and earned the win to improve to 5-0 on the year in 5.0 innings of work.

  • McGinnis finished her second game of the day, pitching the final 2.0 frames with three strikeouts.

  • Kiester and Perkins each finished with three hits, as one of Perkin's hits was the lone Spartan triple of the contest. Kiester would also drive in two runs and score three.

  • Chevalier drove in three runs on two hits.

  • Wineinger reached base in each of her four trips to the plate, going 2-for-2 while drawing two walks. She would also finish with two RBI and two runs scored.

BEYOND THE BOX: 

  • At 11-0, this is the best start in program history for the Spartans.
  • UT is the lone undefeated team in conference play, remaining ahead of St. Leo (8-1 SSC) in the standings.

UP NEXT: Tampa will play six games in the upcoming week, each against non-conference foes. UT will host Southwest Minnesota State in a 3 p.m., Tuesday doubleheader, followed by a 1 p.m., twinbill against Chestnut Hill on Wednesday. The week will conclude with a trip to Valdosta State for a 4 p.m., doubleheader with the Blazers on Thursday in a critical South Region matchup.