Spartans Salvage Series Win with Doubleheader Sweep of Nova Southeastern

Box score TAMPA, Fla. -

The sixth-ranked University of Tampa baseball team (26-5-1, 6-3 SSC) rebounded from its Friday night loss to Nova Southeastern University (19-13, 4-3 SSC) with a doubleheader sweep to salvage a series win over the Sharks in Sunshine State Conference play. Tampa won the first game 5-3, and took the second game 4-2 in seven innings.

Nolan Brannon set a new career high with a four-hit performance in game one, finishing the day 4-6 with an RBI and three runs scored. Steven Broschofsky continued to swing a hot bat, collecting three hits in five at-bats, including a pinch-hit two-run single in game two.

Josh Bowman got the start in game one for the Spartans and threw three and one-third innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out two. Senior Kevin Ferguson made the start in the second game, allowing no runs on five hits in five innings of work. Ferguson also walked three and struck out seven.

Rick Hudson picked up his second win of the season in game one, and Danny Keefe earned his first career win in the second game. Closer Anthony Perez remained perfect this season, recording his tenth save in as many opportunities in game one. Perez threw two and one-third innings of shutout ball, walking one and striking out three.

Tampa got on the board first in game one for the 19th time this season, scoring one run in the first inning on an RBI single by Brannon, and taking an early 1-0 lead. Nova tied the game in the top of the second on an RBI single by Eric McCans to knot the game at 1-1.

The Spartans regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when Junior Mejia came in from third on an error by the Sharks to take a slim 2-1 advantage into the third inning. Tampa extended the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third on a pair of RBI singles by Broschofsky and Rob Kane.

With the Spartans leading 4-2 heading into the top of the sixth, McCans added to his superb weekend performance with an RBI single to cut Tampa's advantage to 4-3, before the Spartans added a run in the bottom of the inning on a bases loaded walk by Casey Albanese.

The Spartans struck first in the second game for the 20th time in 2008, breaking up a scoreless game with two runs in the fourth inning when Leo Alvarez knocked in a pair of runs with a single to right center, scoring Brannon and Jesus Barroso to put the Spartans up 2-0.

Nova tied the game in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run by McCans, his third long ball of the season that found the netting in left field, tying the score at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Tampa reclaimed the lead for good in the bottom of the inning, however, getting a clutch two-run single from the pinch-hitter Broschofsky with two outs to put the Spartans up 4-2.

Tampa is back in action on Tuesday as its plays host to SSC foe Saint Leo University in a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.