Spartans Split Doubleheader with Buccaneers
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The No. 1 ranked University of Tampa Spartans baseball team split a doubleheader with the Barry University Buccaneers on Saturday. The Buccaneers took Game 1 by a score of 5-4, while the Spartans took Game 2 by a score of 12-3. The Spartans won the series 2-1.
David Heintz took the bump for the Spartans in Game 1 and was looking for his 4th win of the season. Heintz started off strong going 3 innings without letting up a run. He gave up 5 hits and 3 runs, which would lead to the no decision for him.
The Spartans offense came out slow but heated up mid-game. Ian Townsend leaded off the second inning with a solo shot that put the Spartans up 1-0. Tampa would go on to score 1 run each in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings. Giovanny Alfonzo and Ty Cooler would each add an RBI to their season stats thus far. The Spartans headed into the bottom of the 6th with a 4-2 lead.
The Buccaneers would add a run in the bottom of the 6th, making their deficit only one, and would take over from there. Nate Greve came up big for the Buccaneers keeping the Spartans scoreless and their bats quiet for the rest of the game. Greve's pitching would be enough for the Buccaneers and his first win of the season.
Heading into the bottom of the 9th tied at 4 and momentum on their side, the Bucs were able to cash in. Ross Thibeault would reach second base on a throwing error by Dylan Barrow, which set the Bucs up for the win. Mike Diaz roped a single to right field that brought Thibeault around to score the game-winning run for the Bucs with a final score of 5-4.
Game 2 started at 4:20 PM and was the final game of the 3-game series. The game would only go 6 innings due to rain. Game 2's outcome would be almost the complete opposite of Game 1.
The Spartans came out firing in Game 2 and took advantage of the Bucs quicky. Giovanny Alfonzo started off the scoring with a solo homerun in the top of the 1st. The Bucs would score 2 runs off Brad Hencke in the bottom of the 1st, but from there on out it was all Spartans.
Tampa had a surge of offensive production in the top of the 2nd scoring a total of 6 runs. Keaton Aldridge started things off with a leadoff double and would eventually come around to score thanks to a single off the bat of Cody deNoyelles. Casey Scoggins and Andrew Amaro would both get singles of their own following deNoyelles to load the bases. After a balk from Broeseker that brought deNoyelles in, and a walk from Alfonzo, the bases were loaded once again. Stephen Dezzi stepped to the plate and came up big, hitting a grand slam deep to right center to put the Spartans up 7-2.
The Spartans would put on 3 more runs in the top of the 3rd. Andrew Amaro doubled to bring Casey Scoggins, Alfonzo singled to bring in Amaro, and Dezzi would also single to bring in Alfonzo. The Spartans lead 10-2 after the 3rd, and seemed to put this game away.
Brad Hencke would pitch 5 innings while giving up 6 hits and 3 runs, but proved enough for his fourth win of the season. Thanks to the help of the Spartans offense and Hencke's strong outing, Tampa would win this 6 inning battle by a final score of 12-3.
The Spartans won the series against the Buccaneers 2-1, making them 16-3 on the season and 2-1 in SSC play. The Spartans next play on Monday March 9th. The game will take place in Boca Raton as the Spartans battle LIU Post, first pitch will take place at 1:00 PM.
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