Spartans Cruise To Victory Over Panthers
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The top ranked University of Tampa Spartans baseball team beat the No. 28 ranked Florida Tech Panthers on their home diamond to move to a perfect 4-0 in Sunshine State Conference play.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: No. 1 Tampa 7, No. 28 Florida Tech 1
Records: Tampa (5-1), Saint Leo (6-2)
Location: Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field | Melbourne, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa is 120-35 all-time against the Panthers.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- In the top of the first inning, E.J. Cumbo got things started for the Spartans with a double to score Nicholas Winkelmeyer. | 1-0 Tampa
- The Panthers answered in the bottom of the third on a ground out to the shortstop. | Tied 1-1
- Tampa immediately answered, scoring J.D. Urso on a Jose Cadenas sacrifice bunt. | 2-1 Tampa
- Cumbo scored in the top of the fifth on a balk. | Tampa 3-1
- Winkelmeyer scored on a wild pitch to begin the seventh inning. | Tampa 4-1
- Mikey Navarrete scored Urso on the sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth. | Tampa 5-1
- Cumbo singled to right field and advanced to second on the throw, scoring Josh Rulli. | Tampa 6-1
- Cumbo scored off a Drew Ehrhard single in the top of the eighth. | Tampa 7-1
INSIDE THE STATS:
- E.J. Cumbo stole the show, batting a stellar 4-5 with two RBIs, two runs scored, and no strikeouts.
- Drew Ehrhard, Jose Cadenas, and Mikey Navarrete all collected one RBI on the game.
- Josh Rulli had a good night at the plate, going 4-3 with a walk and run scored.
- UT had three players score two runs each: Cumbo, J.D. Urso, and Nicholas Winkelmeyer.
- Winkelmeyer joined Jamarcus Lyons with two walks.
- Michael Paul earned the win and moves to 3-0 on the year behind a six-strikeout performance.
- Michael D'Emo was nearly perfect in relief, striking out two and giving up no hits to close out the ninth.
UP NEXT: The Spartans are back home Saturday for the second game of a three-game series with the Panthers. First pitch is at 2:00 p.m.
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