#1 Spartans Take Down Royals In Second Game of Season

Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa baseball team was able to recover from a rough opening day to beat out the Queens Royals in the first ever matchup between the two programs.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: #1 Tampa 9, Queens 6

Records: Tampa Spartans (1-1, 0-0 SSC), Queens Royals (0-2, 0-0 CC)

Location: UT Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: Tonight was the first matchup between the two programs. The Spartans now lead 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• After a leadoff double by Christian Flint, second-basemen Drew Ehrhard was able to knock in an RBI on a groundball to the shortstop. || Top 3 || 1-0 Tampa
• Starting pitcher Jordan Leasure was dealing through the first three innings as he notched six early strikeouts. || Bot. 3 || 1-0 Tampa
• With two outs in the inning, both Jacob Owens and Mikey Navarrete doubled, each driving in an RBI and giving the Spartans a one-run lead. || Top 4 || 3-2 Tampa
• With bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Josh Rulli singled, driving in two RBIs. || Top 5 || 5-4 Tampa
• In the bottom half of the inning, Queen's Head Coach Jack McDowell was ejected after arguing the pitching delivery of closer Jacinto Arredondo, who would go on to retire the side with two strikeouts in the inning. || Bot. 5 || 5-4 Tampa
• Leading off the inning, Navarrete singled on a line drive back at the pitcher, Christian Flint was hit by a pitch, and Nick Derr walked. Luke McDonald reached on a fielder's choice, and all three baserunners scored on a throwing error. The next at-bat, John Pichman was able to single to left, scoring McDonald, and giving the Spartans a commanding five-run lead. || Top 6 || 9-4 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Jose Cadenas went 2-for-4 with one run scored.
• Navarrete also went 2-for-4 with one run scored and an RBI.
• Starting pitcher Jordan Leasure had eight strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched.
• Jacinto Arredondo came in for relief and dialed up eight strikeouts in only 5.0 innings pitched. 

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will return to action Sunday, February 2, at 3:00 as they take on the #15 nationally ranked Bobcats of Georgia College.

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