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10 Runs 10 Wins
February 20, 2024

10 Runs 10 Wins

TAMPA, Fla. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans beat NAIA #1 Southeastern (Fla.) behind big nights at the plate from T.J. Palma and Mike Valdez.

Final: #1 Tampa Spartans 10, Southeastern (Fla.) 7

Records: Tampa (10-0), Southeastern (Fla.) (11-2)

Location: UT Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla. 

All-Time Series: Spartans stay undefeated over the Fire with an overall record of 4-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • After J.P. Gates and Brayden Woodburn walked, T.J. Palma hit a ground ball up the middle that the shortstop dove and stopped, but he did not have time to throw out Palma at first. Instead, he hesitated, and Gates sprinted home for the Spartan's first run. Bot 1 | 1-0 Tampa
  • Gates would be plunked by a pitch, and Mike Valdez would single for first and third and two out for the Spartans. Palma would lace one to right field, and then Danny Gutcher would single to center to bring in both Gates and Valdez. Bot 3 | 3-0 Tampa
  • After Maddox King, Gates, and Woodburn would all reach base via walks, Valdez smoked one to right field for his second grand slam of the year. Palma would follow with a single and Gutcher with a double to bring Palma home. Bot 4 | 8-0 Tampa
  • King and Gates would both drive in runs with singles. Bot 7 | 10-7 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

  • Palma: 3-4, 2 RBI's, & R.
  • Valdez: 2-5, 4 RBI's, & 2 R's.
  • Gutcher: 2-4, 2 RBI, & BB.

ON THE MOUND:

  • Ashton Pocol received his second win of the season. He pitched the first two innings, allowing one walk, striking out two, and did not give up any runs.
  • Drew Howard received his first save of the season. He pitched a scoreless ninth.

UP NEXT: #1 Tampa will hit the road for a weekend series in South Carolina as they take on South Carolina-Aiken starting on Friday, Feb. 23, at 6:00 P.M.

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