Gates Connects on One in Win Over USC-Aiken

AIKEN, S.C. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans take game one over South Carolina Aiken behind J.P. Gates' 3-run home run!

Final: #1 Tampa Spartans 8, South Carolina Aiken Pacers 1

Records: Tampa (11-0), South Carolina Aiken (3-8)

Location: Roberto Hernandez Stadium | Aiken, S.C. 

All-Time Series: Spartans take the first meeting over the Pacers.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pacers would get the first two outs of the inning. Then, Brayden Woodburn snuck a single past the second basemen, and Santiago Garavito hit a hard groundball back up the middle to put the Spartans in business with first and third. Gates came to the plate and smashed a hanging off-speed pitch to right field for his first home run of the season. Top 6 | 3-1 Tampa
• After a walk from Stephen Klein to start the inning, the Spartans again had first and third after Woodburn got on base with another single. The Pacers pitcher attempted to pick off Woodburn and threw the ball into the right field foul territory to bring home Klein and advance Woodburn to third. Top 8 | 4-1 Tampa
• After Nico Saladino and E.J. Cumbo both walked, Jake Griffith snuck one through the right side of the infield to bring home Saladino. Klein then followed with a single going the other way to left field to bring home Cumbo. After Woodburn walked, Garavito drove in Griffith with a single to left field. Gates then was hit with a pitch. Maddox King followed with a single to bring home  Woodburn. Top 9 | 8-1 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

• Gates: 1-4, 3 RBI, & R.
• Woodburn: 2-4, 2 RBI, & BB.
• Garavito: 2-5, 2 RBI, & R.
• Cumbo: 2-3, R, & 2 BB.
• Klein: 1-4, 2 R, & 2 BB.

ON THE MOUND:

• Skylar Gonzalez now improves to 4-0 on the season. He threw 6 innings, only giving up 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 4.
• Eli Thurmond closed with 3 scoreless innings and picked up his third save of the season.

UP NEXT: #1 Tampa will be back in action for game two tomorrow against South Carolina Aiken at 3:00 P.M.