
#5 Lakers Sink Spartans At Home
TAMPA, Fla. - Behind a strong offensive showing, the No. 5 Grand Valley State Lakers took down the No. 11 University of Tampa Spartans 11-4 on Thursday night, dropping Tampa to 15-7 on the year and moving GVSU to 6-1.
Grand Valley State starter Andre Benjamin (2-0) got into trouble in the first, walking three Spartans and plunking one to plate the first run of the ballgame, but recovered in time to throw seven solid innings against Tampa en route to the win.
The Spartans managed to add two more runs off the bat of catcher Garrett Maines when he stroked a two-run homer-his second of the season-over the left field wall to put Tampa on top 3-1.
The fifth inning, however, proved costly for UT, as Grand Valley State put up a four-runs to take the lead for good off starter A.J. Pinera (1-2). Pinera tossed six innings and struck out two while allowing six runs before Daniel Foltz came in relief. Foltz threw one complete, allowing three runs, one earned, and Nate Titus followed with two innings of two-run baseball.
Maines and centerfielder Tyler Cox were the only Spartans to register two-hits in the game. Jose Jimenez and Mike Schwartz each collected one, while the Lakers gathered fifteen hits on the night.
Tampa will square off against Saint Joseph's (Ind.) tomorrow night at 7 p.m. before taking on Quincy on 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.