Spartan Offense Powers Three-Game Sweep at No. 10 Newberry
Game 1
Game 1
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#7 Tampa | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
#10 Newberry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#7 Tampa | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 4 |
#10 Newberry | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 21 | 3 |
NEWBERRY, S.C. - The No. 7 University of Tampa baseball team completed a three-game road sweep at Newberry College, defeating the Wolves by scores of 12-4 and 16-11 in a matchup of national top-10 teams. The wins improve the Spartans' record to 40-9, while the Wolves fell to 41-13.
The first game began with the Wolves taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but the Spartans responded with four runs in the top of the third inning. E.J. Cumbo hit a sac fly to score Jordan Lala, who had walked earlier in the inning, and Anthony Nunez followed with a two-run home run to put the Spartans up 3-1. Mike Valdez then hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Spartans added three more runs in the top of the fifth inning, as Nunez hit an RBI double and Danny Gutcher hit a two-run home run to make the score 7-1.
In the top of the seventh inning, Nico Saladino hit a sac fly to score Drew Ehrhard, who had doubled earlier in the inning, to extend the Spartans' lead to 8-1.
The Spartans scored four more runs in the top of the eighth inning, with Nunez hitting another RBI double and Gutcher hitting his second home run of the game, a two-run shot. Jose Cadenas also hit an RBI single to make the score 12-1.
The Wolves tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring three runs on a two-run double by John Allen Forrester and an RBI single by Jacob Lebron. However, it was too little, too late, as the Spartans closed out the game for the 12-4 victory.
Nunez and Gutcher were the offensive stars for the Spartans, with Nunez going 2-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored, while Gutcher went 3-for-5 with two home runs, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Cadenas also had a solid game, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
In game two, Tampa got off to a quick start, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Newberry answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Tampa added another run in the top of the fourth to make it 5-2. However, Newberry came back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. In the top of the fifth inning, Tampa scored two runs to take a 7-5 lead. Both teams added two runs in the sixth inning, but Tampa pulled away in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs to take a 13-9 lead. Tampa added three more runs in the top of the ninth inning to seal the victory.
The game was an offensive showcase for both teams with a combined 32 runs scored and 41 hits. Tampa had a total of 20 hits while Newberry had 21 hits. Tampa had six batters with multiple hits, with Jordan Lala and E.J. Cumbo leading the way with four hits each. Drew Ehrhard had three RBIs for Tampa, while Santiago Garavito had three RBI and scored three runs. Newberry was led by Donovan Ford and Jacob Lebron, who had four hits each. Braylin Marine had three RBIs for Newberry, while Jonathan Velez had two RBIs.
Tampa used four pitchers in the game, with Paul Sullivan getting the win after pitching 2.1 innings and allowing two runs. Jack Brodsky recorded the save after pitching the final two innings of the game. Newberry used three pitchers in the game, with Joe Lafiora getting the start and pitching three innings.
In terms of defense, both teams struggled, with Tampa committing four errors and Newberry committing three errors.
Tampa now awaits word on the 2023 NCAA South Regional. The field will be unveiled on NCAA.com at 11 p.m. ET Sunday.