Doubleheader Ends In Split For Spartans Softball

Team
Team
April 12, 2025

Winter Park, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team took the field today for the final two games of the series against Rollins College. After a tight pitchers duel in game one, both teams knew what to expect for today's doubleheader. The Spartans once again relied on their dominant pitching but mixed in the long ball in order to pick up a win and take the weekend series. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: #2 Tampa Spartans 35-4 (18-3 SSC), Rollins 25-11 (15-10 SSC)

Location: Rollins Softball Stadium at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park l Winter Park, Fla

History: Today's doubleheader marked the 126th and 127th time these two programs have faced off. With the split, the Spartans lead the all-time series 73-54

Game One Final: #2 Tampa 6, Rollins 2

Game Two Final: #2 Tampa 0, Rollins 6

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

After an electric game one last night that saw an amazing pitching performance and two long balls for the Spartans, they came right back and almost did the same thing. On the pitching side, Mariah Galhouse got the start in the circle and went six strong while only allowing one earned run, coming just short of matching Gwen McGinnis's line from game one of the series. Offensively, the Spartans were able to earn baserunners in almost every inning but were once again looking for someone to step up at the plate. After three straight scoreless innings, Alexa Russo answered the call and belted a solo shot to center field to put the Spartans on the board. On the other side, Rollins was able to use back to back base hits early in the game to scratch across their first run of the game and heading into the sixth inning, this game was deadlocked at 1-1. Despite a leadoff single from Alexa Russo, the Spartans were held scoreless for the fifth time in the top half of the inning. This came back to haunt the Spartans in the bottom of the sixth when back to back errors with two outs allowed the Tars to take a 2-1 lead into the last inning. In the top of the seventh with their backs against the wall, the Spartans showed why they are one of the best teams in the country. With one out already gone, Devin Hammonds worked an eight pitch at-bat to draw a walk. The next batter Lauren Fantone took the opposite approach and smacked the first pitch she saw up the middle for a single and Tampa was threatening. The game tying run was then advanced just 60 feet from home plate after Lilly Keister loaded the bases with a base hit to right field. With the bases juiced, Mariah Galhouse did her job at the plate and sent a fly ball just deep enough for Hammonds on third base to tag up and score to tie the game at 2-2. After tying the game, the Spartans turned to Gwen McGinnis in the bottom of the seventh to send this game to extra innings. After throwing a one run complete game less than 24 hours ago, McGinnis tossed a dominant 1-2-3 inning in just seven pitches. After the Spartans were held scoreless in the top of the eight, McGinnis again downed the Tars in order to send the game to the ninth inning. Wanting to pick up their pitcher, the Tampa offense finally earned their first baserunner of extra innings when Mckenna Demartino led off the inning with an infield hit. Pinch hitter Hannah Yetter then drew a walk and the Spartans had runners on first and second with nobody out. Lauren Fantone moved both runners over with a beautifully placed sacrifice bunt. Tampa got on the board a pitch later when Lilly Kiester belted a line drive at the Rollins second baseman but it was hit too hard for her to make a play on. The Spartans extended the lead two pitches later when Hannah Yetter scored on a wild pitch. With Kiester still on base, Mariah Galhouse busted the game wide open with a home run off the scoreboard behind left field and Tampa now led 6-2. This four run explosion in the top of the ninth swung the momentum fully to Tampa's side, leaving McGinnis to close this game out. Rollins did earn a baserunner but Gwen McGinnis shut the door and the Spartans picked up win number two on the weekend. 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

After two hard fought battles, game three was due to be a boatrace; it was just a matter of who was going to spark their rally first. In the first inning of action, the Spartans offense was sat down in order before Rollins was also held scoreless by the game three starter Gwen McGinnis. The first inning would be McGinnis final shutout of the weekend as she was tagged for three runs in the second inning. After the Spartans failed to earn a baserunner, Rollins struck first and often put up four runs. These four runs may not seem like alot but after two draining games to start the weekend, Tampa had nothing left in the tank offensively. They would be held scoreless for the remainder of the game despite Mariah Galhouse keeping the Spartans in the game during the middle innings. Tampa had a few chances to close the gap in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs but failed to convert on the opportunity. The Tars tacked on two more to their lead in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to really put this game away. Despite the 6-0 loss in game three, the Spartans are leaving Winter Park with a series victory over a very good Rollins side. 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

UP NEXT: After six straight games on the road the Spartans will finally be back at home for their upcoming series with Florida Tech. Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, this three game series against the Panthers will start on Thursday, April 17th with first pitch scheduled for 6:00pm.