Sullivan and Spartans Combine for Eight Homers to Drop Badgers in First Day of NCAA South Regional

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa cruises to a lopsided victory in the first game of the NCAA South Regional.

Final Score: No. 2 University of Tampa Spartans 35, Spring Hill College Badgers 4

Records: Tampa (41-10), SHC (38-14)

Location: UT Baseball Field || Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa remains undefeated against Spring Hill with a record of 3-0. The Spartans are outscoring the Badgers, 66-14 in the all-time series between the two programs. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Starting pitcher Alex Canney retired the Badgers in order in the top of the first.The Spartans' hit parade started off as J.D. Urso had a leadoff single which was followed up by a Jordan Lala walk. Both runners would come into score from a throwing error following a Drew Ehrhard sacrifice bunt. Dan Sullivan would hit a solo home-run that wrapped around the foul pole to just stay fair, and start off his hot day at the plate. Bottom 1 | 6-0 Tampa

• Tampa would put up 16-runs in the second inning highlighted by the duo of Dan Sullivan and Jamarcus Lyons hitting back-to-back home runs on two separate occasions in the inning, as the Spartans batted around the order. Spring Hill starting pitcher would only last 1.1 innings pitched as the Spartans went on a hit parade. Bottom 2 | 22-0 Tampa

• John Malcom and Anthony Nunez would each homer in the inning to push the Spartans out to an insurmountable lead. The Spartans would drive in 16 runs on 12 hits while only stranding one runner on base. Bottom 2 | 22-0 Tampa

• Malcom and Josh Rulli started off the inning with a single and a double down the line to put runners in scoring position. Urso singled down the leftfield line to drive both runs in – he would later score on a Sullivan single to the right side. Luke Glancy would singled to right field line to drive in Lala. Nunez would double to right – Sullivan would score on the play. Bottom 4 | 27-0 Tampa 

• Michael D'Emo would relieve Canney after two hitless innings of work. D'Emo would throw five innings, only allowing two runs and recording seven strikeouts.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Sullivan led all batters today as he went 5-for-7 with five hits, five runs, three home runs, and nine RBI

• Lala went 4-for-5 driving in five runs, and six RBI with one home run

• Lyons went yard twice as the duo of Sullivan and Lyons recorded back-to-back homers twice in the second inning

• Nunez, and Malcom each went 4-for-6 driving in three runs, and one homerun

• Urso would go 4-for-5 driving in two RBI while hitting a triple to add to his score line.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• Dan Sullivan tied the program's single-game record for homeruns (3) 

• Tampa set the single-game program record for hits (33), RBIs (31), and at-bats (58)

• The Spartans went yard eight times in today's game, tying the program single-game home run record

UP NEXT: The Spartans return to play tomorrow at 3:00 pm to take on the winner of Valdosta State and Nova Southeastern.