April 23, 2010

Spartans Charm Mocs in 25-6 Victory

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - In full swing of their toughest series of Sunshine State Conference play, the University of Tampa baseball team put up 25 runs against rival Florida Southern College on route to their eighth consecutive 40 win season. The Spartans now 40-8 and 19-3 SSC topped the Mocs who fall to 37-8, 12-4 SSC by a score of 25-6 in Friday night's contest. The game tied the highest deficit between the two teams at 19 runs (20-1 FSC 5/21/1995). The 25 runs are also the most scored by one team in the all-time series.

Junior catcher Mike Blanke hit 3-for-4 with six RBI while also crossing the plate twice. Slugger Mike Schwartz hit his eleventh homer of the season, a solo shot to right in the eighth. He also set the UT record for hit batsmen in a game as he was plunked three times in the contest. The senior ended the night hitting 3-for-4 with five runs in the game.

Swift-swinging Tyler Cox led off the scoring attack roping the first offering from Mocs starter Max Russell deep over the leftfield wall. The Spartans handed the undefeated Russell his first loss of the season after winning nine games.

The other offensive juggernaut, senior first baseman Brad Roberts led the Spartans with four hits on the night and was also plated five times. He also stole his first base of the season and drove in three runs.

Pinch hitter Mike Bourdon slugged his fifth pinch hit homer of the season to drive in three runs in the eighth. The junior catcher is slugging at .941 on the season.

The Spartans will face the Mocs in a Saturday doubleheader with first game slotted for a 1 p.m start. In between games UT will honor its seniors with a special senior day presentation that will start 20 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Livestats and a live webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers eScores, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.