Spartans Split Thursday Doubleheader Against Hillsdale
TAMPA, Fla. - Beginning a five game home-stand, the No. 3 University of Tampa baseball team split its Thursday night twin-bill with visiting Hillsdale College. The Spartans sit at a 6-2 season tally while the Chargers begin their 2013 campaign 1-1.
Tampa won the first game of the doubleheader 6-0 as right fielder Zach Gawrych and first baseman Jake Schrader each hit a home run. The Spartans were unable to continue their offense in the second game as Hillsdale took a 2-1 win in the nightcap.
A bevy of UT batters collect multiple hits on the first game win. Catcher Adam Pendleton hit 2-for-3 with a run batted in for the Spartans while Stephen Dezzi and Sean O'Brien each tallied a pair of hits and a run. Gawrych notched a two run homer in the fifth inning for the home team while Schrader blasted a solo shot of his credit in the sixth.
Spartan hurler David Heintz picked up his first start in the matinee game against Hillsdale. The freshman tossed five innings with no runs and five each of hits and strikeouts for his first collegiate win.
Senior lefty Dan Zlotnick pitched the final two innings in relief of Heintz, striking out the final three batters he faced to preserve the 6-0 win.
Hillsdale jumped on the board in the first, plating a pair of runs for their first lead of the night.
The Spartans scored their first run in the third by way of a bases-loaded walk, shrinking the Charger's lead 2-1.
Tampa faltered two bases loaded opportunities as Hillsdale worked their way out of a jam in the home half of the fifth, Chargers ended the second game victorious with a 2-1 final score.
Chargers right-handed pitcher Lucas Hamelik earned the win after five complete innings of work. The starter allowed a single unearned run off four hits and struck out five Spartan batters. Hillsdale reliever Dan Pochmara converted a two-inning save, allowing a single hit to close out the 2-1 win.
Tampa starter Michael Calkins was tabbed with the loss, pitching three innings, allowing two runs off three hits, while fanning two.
UT continues its busy weekend as they welcome Pace for a three-game set. The first will take place Friday at the University of Tampa Baseball Field slated to begin at 6 p.m. Live stats in addition to a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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