Spartans Split Doubleheader with Blazers
VALDOSTA, Ga. - Splitting the doubleheader to win the series, the No. 4 University of Tampa baseball team improves to a 10-3 overall record while Valdosta finished the day 4-10. The Blazers barely got the better of the Spartans in game one with a 9-8 margin, but Tampa's tandem of Evan Stobbs and Shane Riedie came back to blank Valdosta 3-0 in the nightcap of the doubleheader.
In game one of the doubleheader, the Spartans were quickly pitted against a large deficit as the Blazers plated seven runners in the first two frames. Center fielder John Willner doubled to start the game and came around to score on a wild pitch.
In the next inning, VSU third-baseman Bobby Triglia added a two-bagger as well to continue the Blazer attack. Valdosta added six runs on the inning as Tampa trailed 7-0 to end the second.
UT chipped away at the Blazer's lead as they added three runs in the fifth and sixth, to bring the Spartans within four at 7-3.
A costly error in the eighth knotted up the score as the Spartans added five runs to round out the scoring for Tampa. The Blazers tallied a key run in the home half of the eighth to tip the scales in their favor.
Reliever Glenn Lempke came in the top of the ninth to close out the game at a 9-8 final score. Righty Bud Fuller earned the win, allowing no hits in 1.1 innings of work coming in relief in the eighth inning.
Tampa right-handed pitcher Daniel Foltz pitched five solid innings of two-hit baseball in relief of starter Eric Grabe. Spartan pitcher Cody Davis was handed the loss, giving up a single run in the eighth to solidify the Blazer's win.
Left fielder Andrew Jones notched two RBI on the match for the Spartans while Heath Pritchard and Adam Pendleton also added a run each.
The Spartans were first to strike in the second game, tacking on a run in the third when designated hitter Taylor Wrenn came around to score.
Senior Donahue added a run in the seventh with his third hit of the night, a single to drive home Davis. Wrenn crossed the plate later in the inning to add to Tampa's lead, 3-0.
Tampa starter Stobbs failed to surrender a hit through his first five innings of work. Stobbs ended the night pitching six solid innings, allowing no runs and a single hit while sending seven down on strikes to earn the win. Riedie came in to pitch for the final inning, allowing no base-runners to pick up the save.
The Spartans head home to face Rockhurst in a two-game doubleheader Saturday, first game slotted for a 5 p.m. start. Livestats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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