Spartans Rally on the Road to Complete Sweep Over Lions
SAINT LEO, Fla.-The No.1 ranked University of Tampa baseball team rallied late to complete the series sweep in dramatic fashion against Saint Leo University on Saturday. UT took the first game in a come from behind effort, 4-3 and another rally for the win 9-8 in the second matchup.
With the victory Tampa improves to 18-1, 3-0 in SSC play, while Saint Leo falls to 11-6, 0-3 in SSC action. The Spartans continue their impressive 2014 campaign, extending their win streak to 11 straight victories.
In the first game, trailing for the majority of the contest, Tampa found itself down 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning. The Spartans finally got their offense going, with a Nick Tindall lead-off single, followed up by a Stephen Dezzi double down the right field line to put UT in scoring position. First baseman Sean O'Brien brought Tindall in with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3-3. Dezzi then scored thanks to a Lions error, to put the Spartans on top 4-3.
Relief pitcher Kevin McNorton sealed the Spartan triumph in the ninth inning, not allowing the Lions to claw their way back into the game. McNorton picked up his third save of the season, while Preston Packrall (2-0) came out with the win in relief of starter David Heintz.
In the second matchup, another late comeback was needed for the Spartans to capture the victory. Tampa fell behind 8-6, one out away from dropping its first game since mid-February.
However, in the top of the seventh, Obrochta roped a RBI single off the wall in left center to bring UT with one run. A few batters later, Saint Leo threw a wild pitch, scoring pinch hitter Quinn Pippin to stun the lively Lions crowd. With the score tied Dezzi smacked a single straight up the middle to score Obrochta and give Tampa the lead.
McNorton finished the game similar to the first contest, picking up his fourth save of the season. Sophomore reliever Michael Calkins (1-0) earned the win, only throwing a third of an inning.
Tampa will welcome Seton Hill on Sunday for an 11 a.m. contest. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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