March 3, 2023
No. 2 Spartans Force Extras and Take Game One
CLINTON, Miss. - The Spartans come from behind and take game one against the Choctaws.
Final Score: No. 2 University of Tampa Spartans (4), Mississippi College Choctaws (3)
Records: Tampa (12-2), Mississippi College (5-11)
Location: Frierson Field || Clinton, Miss.
All-Time Series: The Spartans improve their record to 4-1 against the Choctaws all-time.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A solo home run by Reese with two outs in the bottom of the first gave the Choctaws an early lead | 1-0 Choctaws.
- In the third, J.D. Urso tied the ball game up with a single up the middle that scored Jordan Lala | 1-1 Tied.
- The Choctaws answered right back with one of their own in the third with another solo home run by Crifasi | 2-1 Choctaws.
- Kirsch got another run for the Choctaws in the fifth with a single up the middle with two outs | 3-1 Choctaws.
- The Spartans would push across two runs in the seventh with a double to left by Drew Ehrhard and a sac fly to right from Urso | 3-3 Tied.
- There would be scoreless baseball and a need for extra innings. Jose Cadenas untied the game in the eleventh, which E.J. Cumbo. Dalton Ross would shut the door in the bottom half of the inning | Final: 4-3 Spartans.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Braydon Nelson earns the victory by going 3.1 IP, only allowing 1 hit and 3 strikeouts in relief.
- The Spartans put together 13 hits, including a double and a triple.
- Urso collected two RBI.
- Cadenas had two hits, including the biggest for the Spartans after coming on in the seventh.
UP NEXT: The Spartans are back again tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET. in Clinton for game two.