
#1 Tampa Splits Doubleheader With Lions
ST. LEO, Fla. – The No.1 ranked, defending national champion University of Tampa Spartans opened the 2021 season on the road in an evening doubleheader against the Saint Leo University Lions. Tampa split the games 1-1.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game One Final: No. 1 Tampa 10, Saint Leo 5
Game Two Final: Saint Leo 5, No. 1 Tampa 4
Records: Tampa (1-1), Saint Leo (1-1)
Location: Thomas B. Southard Stadium | St. Leo, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa is 131-44 all-time against Saint Leo.
HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME ONE:
- Mikey Navarrete scored off a second-inning single by Josh Rulli. | 1-0 Tampa
- The Lions scored runs of their own with a two RBI double in the bottom of the second. | 2-1 Lions
- The lions added another run courtesy of an RBI single. | 3-1 Lions
- Tampa scored five runs in a third-inning explosion: E.J. Cumbo scored on a Jamarcus Lyons single; John Malcom doubled to left center for three RBI: Lyons, Luke Glancy, Nick Derr; J.D. Urso grounded out to the shortstop, Malcom scored. | 6-3 Tampa
- Nicholas Winkelmeyer stole third, scored on a throwing error in the top of the fourth. | 7-3 Tampa
- Derr scored after a Navarrete bases-loaded walk. | 8-3 Tampa
- The Lions added two runs in the fifth via sacrifice fly and homerun. | 8-5 Tampa
- Derr scored again in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly from Glancy; Malcom scored off the Urso single in the top of the ninth. | 10-5 Tampa
HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME TWO:
- John Malcom put the Spartans on the board with a solo shot in the bottom of the second. | 1-0 Tampa
- The Lions tacked on three runs in the second and third innings with a homerun and a pair of RBI doubles. | 3-1 St. Leo
- Mikey Navarrette was hit by a pitch in the top of the fourth inning to score Nick Derr. | 3-2 St. Leo
- J.D. Urso hit a sacrifice fly that brought in Malcom and tied the game. | Tampa, St. Leo 3-3
- Jamarcus Lyons scored on a Nicholas Winkelmeyer bases-loaded walk that gave the Spartans the lead. | 4-3 Tampa
- The Lions added a run in the fourth and walked-off in the ninth to beat the Spartans. | 5-4 St. Leo
INSIDE THE STATS — GAME ONE:
- Nick Derr hit 1-for-2 with three runs scored, three walks, a double, and zero strikeouts.
- John Malcom earned three RBI with two runs scored.
- The Spartans had seven players score runs.
- Michael Paul earned his first win of the season, striking out six.
- Eric Linder entered in relief and tossed four scoreless innings with two strikeouts, earning his first save of the season.
INSIDE THE STATS — GAME TWO:
- John Malcom had another strong game in the second showing, hitting 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
- Nick Derr, Jamarcus Lyons, and Malcom scored for Tampa.
- Jordan Leasure struck out 11 batters.
BEYOND THE BOX:
- Saint Leo's win at home over Tampa is their first since March 28, 2005.
UP NEXT: Tampa heads to Winter Park, Fla. on Thursday for the first of a three-game series with Sunshine State Conference opponent Rollins College. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
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