Gonzalez, Spartans Power Past Stillman
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tampa
|
0 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 23 | 0 |
|
Stillman
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 2 |
MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Behind a 5-for-6 performance from third baseman Devin Gonzalez and a ton of offense, The No. 10 University of Tampa Spartans took down the Stillman College Tigers 21-8 in Friday's elimination game. Tampa (39-16) will face off against the loser of Valdosta State/Florida Southern at 1 p.m. EST tomorrow, while Stillman (35-22) was sent home.
Despite falling behind Stillman 2-0 in the first inning, the Spartans roared back with 15 runs over the next three to grab the lead for good. Tampa scored in every inning except for the first and last off of 23 hits, their second most in a single game this season. Seven Spartans recorded multi-hit games while six others recorded at least one hit.
Gonzalez went 5-for-6 with two doubles and a long solo home run in the contest, giving him four RBI on the afternoon. He hit safely in his first four at-bats of the game, giving him hits in seven straight plate appearances, including Thursday's 3-for-3 effort against Lynn University. Garrett Maines and Tyler Cox each doubled and homered, also collecting four RBI each.
John Wiedenbauer started the contest for Tampa and went three solid innings, leaving with a 16-2 lead. Max Kreuter (4-0) picked up the win in relief, throwing two innings of one-run baseball before giving way to Tommy Meagher. Meagher, Josh Bowman, and Carmine Giardina each tossed an inning before Brandan Teague took the hill in the ninth.
After getting one out, Teague left with an injury and second baseman Brenton Cianci was called on to make his first ever appearance on the mound for Tampa, while Alex Koronis and Daniel Foltz made their first career appearances in the field. Cianci got the final two outs for the Spartans, the last of which came on a fielder's choice to Koronis at second.
Tampa will return to action tomorrow in another elimination contest, taking on the loser of Valdosta State/Florida Southern at 1 p.m. EST. Livestats and a live webcast will be available from www.tampaspartans.com or www.muleriderathletics.com.