#1 Tampa Conquers Grand Canyon in Extras

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa baseball team defeated Grand Canyon University in their second extra-inning matchup of the weekend. The eleven-inning game ended with a score of 9-8, in favor of the Spartans.

In the top of the first, Grand Canyon capitalized on a Spartan error to score two unearned runs and claim the early lead.

After gaining a run in the second inning, the Spartans managed to come up with two more in the third. An RBI single by junior Anthony Caronia brought in sophomore Connor Obrochta to tie up the game. A sacrifice fly by Andrew Jones allowed senior Damon Elder to cross the plate for the go-ahead run.

The 'Lopes evened the score at three in the top of the fifth only for the Spartans to steal the lead back in the bottom of the inning. A double by senior Eric Grabe brought in Obrochta and Elder, who had gotten on base by back-to-back singles. Tampa was up 5-3 until GCU leveled the game once again in the sixth.

A Spartan run in the seventh and a Grand Canyon run in the eighth left the game tied in the ninth, forcing the contest into extras. A scoreless tenth inning was followed by a thrilling eleventh.

The 'Lopes managed to get two earned runs off Spartan pitching in the top of the inning. With two outs to go in the bottom of the eleventh, the Spartans were down by two. Jones and Grabe got on base by a hit-by-pitch and a walk respectively. Junior Jake Schrader notched a two-RBI double to tie up the game once again.

Two intentional walks later, junior Adam Pendleton stepped up to the plate for the Spartans. Pendleton pulled a ball to right field to score a Spartan and claim the walk-off victory. Tampa defeated Grand Canyon, 9-8.

Senior pitcher, Sean Bierman, started on the mound for Tampa. The lefty pitched six innings, gave up six hits, and struck out six 'Lopes. Bierman allowed only two earned runs in his outing.

Bierman was relieved with appearances by Aaron Gerbasi, Preston Packrall, Michael Zaccardo, and Mike Adams. Spartan pitching struck out nine GCU batters total. Adams was awarded the win, his first of the season.

Elder went 3-for-5 in the game with two doubles, one single, and a walk. Pendleton tallied hits in both plate appearances, including his game-winning single. Grabe, Schrader, and senior Heath Pritchard each had two hits apiece.

The two teams collected a total of nine errors in the game. The Spartans recorded six while the 'Lopes had three. Both teams had 14 hits each.

The win improves Tampa to 15-3 on the season as Grand Canyon falls to 9-13.

The two squads are scheduled to play the final game of their three-game series on Sunday at 11 a.m. Live stats and a webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.com.

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