First Win at the Birdcage

TAMPA, Fla. – The #2 University of Tampa Spartans pick up their first win at the birdcage this season.

Final: #2 University of Tampa Spartans 8, #12 Newberry Wolves 1

Records: Tampa (4-0), Newberry (1-3)

Location: UT Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla. 

All-Time Series: The Spartans have now won all 10 games they have played against the Wolves.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Due to the Newberry pitcher struggling to find the strike zone early, the Spartans' first three batters, E.J. Cumbo, Jake Griffith, and Stephen Klein, would all reach base due to walks. Anthony Nunez then came to the plate and drove in Cumbo and Griffith with a double to the left-field corner. Later in the inning, Santiago Garavito would single to right field to bring in Klein. End 1 | Tampa 3-0
• Once again, the Spartans received help from inaccurate Newberry arms. Klein, Brayden Woodburn, and J.P. Gates would all get hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. Garavito would follow Gates with a rope past the second basemen to bring home Woodbrun and Klein. End 5 | Tampa 5-1
• After back-to-back singles from Nico Saladino and Maddox King to start the 8^th, Cumbo would sneak a single past the infield's left side to bring Saladino home. After a throwing error on a pickoff attempt from the Newberry pitcher, Griffith would hit a rope to the right field to bring in Cumbo and King. End 8 | Tampa 8-1

AT THE PLATE:

• Nunez: 2-5 & 2 RBIs.
• Saladino: 2-4 & R.
• Garavito: 1-2 & 3 RBIs.
• Griffith: 1-4, R, & 2 RBIs.

ON THE MOUND:

• Alex Canney is now 2-0 on the season, going 5 strong, giving up 1 unearned run, 3 hits, and striking out 5.
• Eli Thurmond came in for relief, going 4 innings without giving up any runs and striking out 4. Thurmond also picked up his first save of the night.

UP NEXT: #2 Tampa will be back at it tomorrow against Newberry, Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3:00 pm EST.