Gonzalez Leads Spartans Over Mavericks

Box score

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Five runs off the bat of junior Devin Gonzalez propelled the No. 9 University of Tampa Spartans over the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks on Thursday night by a final score of 11-4. With the win, the Spartans improve to 11-4 on the season while the Mavericks drop to 6-2.

Nebraska-Omaha got on the board early, putting up three runs in the first against Tampa starter Tommy Meagher. Meagher allowed just one other run to Nebraska-Omaha through four innings of work, striking out six while walking four.

In the Spartan second, Gonzalez blasted a solo home run over the right field wall to cut the lead to 3-1, but it wasn't until the fifth that Tampa broke through against Mavericks pitching. After Correy Figueroa and Jesus Barroso singled, designated hitter Mike Schwartz singled to cut the lead in half at 4-2. Jose Jimenez followed with a walk before sophomore Jared Simon stroked a two-run double to right to tie the contest.

Gonzalez added another RBI with a sacrifice fly to score Schwartz. Dagmar Pena stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter and hit the 0-2 pitch to center field to score two and give Tampa their first lead of the night. UT added RBI doubles in the sixth from Schwartz and Simon to increase the lead.

To round out his 2-for-3 night, Gonzalez stroked another home run, this time with two runners on. He's now collected 14 RBI's in his last three games.

Senior Danny Keefe took over for Meagher in the fifth and threw three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and walking none while striking out five, to keep the Spartans in the game. Scoreless innings from Daniel Foltz and Alex Koronis sealed the 11-4 victory for Tampa.

The Spartans return to action this weekend in a series against Valdosta State beginning Saturday. UT will offer live stats through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores through the website, a free service that sends text messages on Spartan athletic events.