No. 3 Tampa Takes First Game of Series at Nova Southeastern

Box score

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The No. 3 University of Tampa (35-9, 15-4 SSC) baseball team came away with a 6-4 win in the first game of a Sunshine state Conference series with Nova Southeastern University (24-17, 6-10 SSC).

Tampa struck for the game's first run with a B.J. Zimmerman RBI single in the first inning, scoring leadoff hitter Connor Obrochta. Nova would even the slate in the second inning with a single run, tying the contest at 1-1.

The Spartans would bounce back with another run in the third to take back the lead with a RBI single from third baseman Jake Schrader, bringing home second baseman Tyler Ding. UT would give up the lead the next half inning when the Sharks scored another run to make it 2-2.

In the top of the fourth, Tampa would take the lead for good after a gem of a bunt down the third base line by Michael Danner to sneak in Adam Pendleton. Danner would eventually score off a balk before the Sharks were able to get out of the inning. Tampa would knock on two more in the eight thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Tyler Ding and Sean O'Brien.

Jon Keller got the start, pitching 6.1 and earning his third win of the season and improving to 3-3 on the season. Preston Packrall would be called to come and relieve in the seventh, pitching 2.0 solid innings allowing just one hit. The save would go to Mike Adams, who would put down the final two batters on strikes to end the ball game.

Tampa is right back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader against Nova Southeastern. The first of the two games will start at 1 p.m. start time. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers blAst, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at http://www.tampaspartans.com/.