Spartans take Opening Day Contest in Texas
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#2 Tampa
|
2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 1 |
|
Arkansas Tech
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Spartans won their Opening Day contest over Arkansas Tech.
Final: #2 University of Tampa Spartans 17, Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys 5
Records: Tampa (1-0), Arkansas Tech (0-1)
Location: Minute Maid Park || Houston, TX.
All-Time Series: Spartans take the first-ever meeting between Tampa and Arkansas Tech.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After a Jake Griffith double for the game's first base runner, Stephen Klein would drive in Griffith with a single to center for the game's first run. After back-to-back walks by the Spartans, J.P. Gates would smash a sharp liner to the right field that would be caught, but it brought home Klein. Mid 1 | Tampa 2-0.
- Five Spartans would reach base safely via walks, all one after another, to bring two more runs across the plate. Mid 2 | Tampa 4-0
- Tampa would work the arms of Arkansas Tech. Getting on base by walking eight times and two hits by pitches, all in the third. Santiago Garavito would follow with a two-run single to left field, and Nico Saladino would hit a sacrifice fly to left center to bring one more run across the plate. Mid 3 | Tampa 12-0
- Brayden Woodburn would smash a long ball to left field for a 2-run shot to expand the Spartan's lead. Mid 4 | Tampa 14-0
- The Spartans would plate three in the seventh. Mid 7 | Tampa 17-5
AT THE PLATE:
- Klein: 3-3, 4 R, 2 RBIs, and 3 BB.
- Griffith: 2-4, 4 R, RBI, and 2 BB.
- Saladino: 2-4, R, RBI, and BB.
- Woodrun: 1-2, 2 R, 5 RBIs, and 3 BB.
- Anthony Nunez: 0-1, 2 R, 2 RBIs, and 5 BB.
ON THE MOUND:
- Alex Canney went 4 innings, giving up 3 runs, 2 hits, and striking out 2.
- Steven Rojas came in for an inning in relief, giving up one run, one hit, and striking out one.
- Beckett White followed in relief with one inning, giving up one run, one hit, and striking out one.
- Drew Howard finished in relief, closing out the seventh and giving the Spartans the first win of the season.
UP NEXT: #2 Tampa looks to make an impressive statement tomorrow at the Winter Invitational as they take on #7 Millersville at 11:00 am EST on Saturday, Feb. 3.
GAMEDAY MULTIMEDIA: Fans may watch all home games and Sunshine State Conference contests on TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are also available through TampaStats.com. Follow UT Athletics: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.