Spartans Knock Out Fighting Knights to Clinch Third Straight SSC Title

Box score BOCA RATON, Fla.-

The No. 1 ranked University of Tampa baseball team clinched its third straight Sunshine State Conference title with a 6-2 win over No. 8 Lynn University Friday afternoon. The feat marks the Spartans 16th SSC title in program history and the 10th regular season conference title for head coach Joe Urso.

With the road win the Spartans improve to a school record 43-2 on the year and an 18-1 record in conference play. On the other side, No.8 Lynn falls to 33-11 on the year, and 15-7 in SSC competition.

Senior sluggers Michael Danner and Connor Obrochta came up big for the Spartans as the two hit their eighth and fifth home runs respectively. Danner ended the game with a 2-for-4 showing to go along with three RBI, while Obrochta hit 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Second baseman Orlando Rivera also contributed by hitting 3-for-5 with a run and RBI.

Both offenses were slow to start as Tampa held the 1-0 lead after Obrochta's solo home run, heading into the fifth inning. In the home half of the inning Lynn struck as Thomas Kain roped a double to left field to score two and give the Fighting Knights the 2-1 advantage.

Tampa had an answer as its offense came to life in the seventh, capitalizing off of Lynn errors. After reaching on an error, Rivera was brought home by another fielding mistake by the Fighting Knights to tie the game at 2-2. Danner then crushed the ball to left field for a three run home run giving UT the go ahead runs.

Starting Spartan hurler David Heintz (8-0) earned the win as the sophomore threw six frames allowing no earned runs on five hits and striking out six batters.

Tampa reliever Kevin McNorton came up with his 10th save of the year, throwing the final three innings while only giving up one hit.

Lynn relief pitcher Bill Mendek (5-3) was tabbed with the loss as he pitched two innings yielding one earned run on three hits. Starter Jed Vandernaald threw six frames allowing seven hits and gave up one run.

Tampa will continue its series with Lynn in a Saturday doubleheader, first game set to begin at 12 p.m. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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