Eagles Soar Past #8 Spartans
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Embry-Riddle
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
|
Tampa
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 |
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 8 University of Tampa baseball team faltered in their meeting against NAIA opponent Embry-Riddle University, losing by a 7-6 final score. The Spartans drop to 27-9 on the season while the Eagles improve to 36-6.
Backstop Adam Pendleton hit 2-for-4 with four RBI while outfielder Damon Elder also picked up a pair of hits and scored twice in the tough loss. Reliever Tim Kiley pitched two solid innings retiring each batter he faced in order.
Embry-Riddle posted a two-run first inning thanks to a shot off of Eagles first baseman Chris Page to start the scoring. ERAU tallied another run in the first to push them into a 3-0 lead.
The Spartans capitalized a bases loaded situation when sophomore catcher Pendleton roped a two-bagger to right center to clear the bags and knot up the score for Tampa at 3-3.
Embry-Riddle smacked a three-run homer to deep center followed by a solo shot to left field as the Spartans were touched up for four runs in a rough fifth inning.
The Spartans chipped away at the deficit as the notched a run in each of the fifth and sixth innings. Pendleton scored another runner with an RBI single in the sixth as Tampa pulls within two of the Eagles.
Designated hitter Heath Pritchard smacked a birthday bomb to deep right as the Spartans trail by a single run in the eighth. Tampa was unable to find any ninth inning magic as the Spartans lost by a 7-6 final tally.
Eagles starter Daniel Eaton picked up his second win of the season pitching 7.2 innings while being touched up for five earned runs on the contest. Lefty Max Kreuter was tabbed with the loss after giving up the lead in the fifth in one inning of work. ERU closer Phillip Reamy went down in the record books for the Eagles as he picked up his 24th career save to go down in the record books with the most saves in an Embry-Riddle uniform.
Tampa hits the road Friday to face Barry University in a crucial three-game Sunshine State Conference set. The first matchup is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a Saturday doubleheader set to begin at 1 p.m. Live stats will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.
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