#12 Spartans Maul Panthers In Mid-Week Battle

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 12 University of Tampa baseball team routed Sunshine State opponent Florida Tech 11-1 on Tuesday night in a nonconference matchup. Tampa (30-14) outhit the Panthers (28-17) 12 to five in the game to secure its 30th win of the year.

The Spartans got out to a quick 3-0 lead in the second inning, beginning with a leadoff double off the bat of leftfielder Andrew Jones. Designated hitter Shawn Pleffner followed with a walk before junior Damon Elder sacrificed both runners into scoring position. A throwing error led to the first two Spartan runs before Mike Bourdon tacked on the third with a single.

Pleffner and Bourdon drove in a run each in the subsequent two innings before a huge Spartan sixth inning put the game out of reach. Six of the first seven batters in the frame tallied hits, including a hard-hit two-run homer to left off the bat of Trace Venegas, his first long ball of the year.

The only Panther run came in the third inning off UT starter Shane Reidie, who lasted 2.1 innings. Reidie gave up just one hit but walked four while fanning three. Daniel Foltz (3-1) picked up the win with 3.2 shutout innings in relief. He allowed three hits and a walk and struck out five en route to his third win of the season. Frank DeJiulio rebounded from his last outing to throw two innings of one-hit ball before Cody Davis moved from centerfield to pitcher to strike out the side in a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Spartans return to the home field this weekend to take on Palm Beach Atlantic in a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Live stats will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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