Tampa Tops Lynn in 14 Run Shutout

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - After a nine-run eighth inning, the No. 14 University of Tampa throttled Lynn University 14-0 in Friday night's contest at the UT Baseball Field. The Spartans improve 16-7 while evening at 2-2 in Sunshine State Conference play while the Fighting Knights drop to 13-11 on the season and a 2-2 SSC record.

Third baseman Eric Grabe continued to ravage the base paths as he picked up three hits on the night, including two doubles, to continue his 11-game hit streak going. Catcher Mike Bourdon notched a solo home run, one of two hits for the senior.

The Spartans were first on the board as rightfielder Tyler Ding drove home Shawn Pleffner off a sacrifice fly to left centerfield as Tampa took an early 1-0 lead at the end of the second frame.

Tampa tacked another three runs as junior Heath Pritchard plated two on a triple down the right field line pushing the Spartan lead to a 5-0 deficit. Outfielder Andrew Jones plated the only other run of the inning as he picked up an RBI single.

Catcher Mike Bourdon smashed a solo shot to left center, his first of the year, to add another run to the Spartan lead. Second baseman Raiko Alfonso doubled home a pair of runs as the Spartans totaled nine runs in the eighth inning to finish out the Tampa attack.

Starter Josh Thrailkill pitched six innings of three hit baseball, allowing no runs while sending seven batters down on strikes, to earn the win. The senior improves to a 2-0 record on his 2011 campaign. Righty Aaron Gerbasi and sidearm righty Shawn Ferris pitched the final three frames, leaving the Fighting Knights hitless to close out the contest. The two relievers struck out two each as the only blemish was a walk in the sixth inning.

Tampa returns to the field Saturday with a doubleheader to finish the series against LU, first game to start at 1 p.m. Live stats as well as a video broadcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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