Spartans Top Tars in First Game of Road Series

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Extra base hits gave the No. 2 University of Tampa baseball team its double-digit win over Rollins College by a score of 12-4. The win improves the Spartans to 36-5 overall record and a 16-0 record in the Sunshine State Conference while the Tars fall to 24-14 and 7-6 SSC.

Junior leftfielder Jared Simon led the Spartan offense going 4-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI. Catcher Mike Blanke also added two doubles and two RBI, finishing the night 2-for-4.

In the first inning the Spartans jumped on Tars starting pitcher, Stephen Hiscock, plating four runners thanks to RBI doubles from Simon and Blanke. The Spartan batters continued to overwhelm Hiscock as shortstop Correy Figueroa drilled the first pitch he saw of the second inning, deep over the centerfield wall for a solo home run.

The Spartans added another three runs in the fifth off of Blanke's second double of the night, putting the team in a 7-3 lead. Outfielder Tyler Cox contributed three hits of his own in the contest while crossing the plate twice for the Spartans.

Tampa starting pitcher John Wiedenbauer picked up his fifth win, pitching six innings and striking out five. The lefty gave up only one walk and scattered six hits over his six frames.

The Spartans return to action Saturday in the series doubleheader against Rollins with first pitch slated for a 1 p.m. start. Live stats will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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