Knights Hand Spartans First Loss
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tampa
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
|
Lynn
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 4 | 8 | 0 |
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The No.1 ranked University of Tampa baseball team was defeated by conference opponent, No. 30 Lynn University, on Friday. The Spartans lost by a one-run margin as they fell 4-3.
The Spartans took an early lead in the top of the first when senior Andrew Jones doubled to right-center, bringing in fellow senior Damon Elder. Elder had opened the game with a lead-off single.
With a one-run lead in the second, the Spartans gave up two earned runs to the Knight offense. Lynn took the lead and would not lose it for the remainder of the game.
LU added to its score in the fourth inning after an unearned run crossed the plate to put Lynn up 3-1.
In the seventh inning, Tampa's Connor Obrochta doubled to right centerfield to lead off. The sophomore would then go on to score after a Knight wild pitch, cutting the Spartans' deficit to one.
The one-run deficit did not last long. Lynn's offense responded quickly in the bottom of the inning with a run of their own to put them up 4-2.
After a scoreless eighth, Tampa had one last chance in the ninth. The Spartans were able to pull back to within one when a sacrifice fly by Elder plated junior Adam Pendleton who had drawn a walk to lead off the inning. The late rally was not enough for the Spartans, however, as they could not manage to bring a tying run home, causing UT's undefeated streak to come to an end.
Starting pitcher Sean Bierman threw for 5.1 innings, struck out three and let up two earned runs. Sophomore Mike Adams and junior Aaron Gerbasi pitched 1.0 and 1.2 innings of relief, respectively. The Spartan pitching staff struck out six Knights total and walked three.
The loss is Tampa's first as its record falls to 11-1 (0-1 SSC) and improves Lynn's to 10-4, (1-0 SSC).
The two ranked teams will battle it out again in a doubleheader match-up tomorrow beginning at noon in Boca Raton. Live stats will be available through TampaSpartans.com.
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