Sixteen Runs Prevail No. 1 Spartans Over Cougars in Series Finale

SAN MARCOS, CA. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans took three of four games from Cal State San Marcos including the series finale on Monday behind 14 hits.

Final: #1 Tampa 16, Cal State San Marcos 4

Records: #1 Tampa (7-3), Cal State San Marcos (8-9)

Location: CSUSM Baseball Field | San Marcos, FL. 

All-Time Series: This was the 4^th meeting between these two programs. The Spartans now lead 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Lenny Ashby led the inning off by getting plunked with a pitch. Kevin Karstetter took an outside pitch the other way over the right-center field wall for a two-run shot. With one out, Cole Russo reached base due to an error by the Cougars Shortstop. Brayden Woodburn followed with a single to left field. With two outs, Jordan Williams drew a walk to load the bases up for the Spartans. Edgardo Villegas would follow by also drawing a walk to bring in Russo. J.D. Urso then capped the rally off by turning around a fastball over the center field wall for a grand slam to give the Spartans the lead. That was Urso's third straight game with a home run. Mid 2 | 7-3 Tampa
• Villegas would lead off the inning by doubling to left-center field. Urso followed with a double to left-center-field to bring home Villegas. Ashby followed with a single through the right side to bring home Urso. Karstetter would follow with a single. With one out, Russo would bring in Ashby with a sacrifice fly to left field. Woodburn followed with a double down the left-field line to bring home Karstetter. Mid 4 | 11-3 Tampa
• Villegas would single with one out through the left side. He would then steal second base and come around to score on an Ashby single. Mid 5 | 12-3 Tampa
• The Spartans would load the bases up to begin the sixth. Santiago Garavito would single, Russo, walked, and Woodburn was hit with a pitch. Then, with one out, Mike Valdez was hit with a pitch to bring in Garavito, and Villegas was hit with a pitch to bring in Russo. Urso would follow, reaching on a fielder's choice to bring home Woodburn. Mid 6 | 15-3 Tampa
• Nico Saladino would demolish a home run to the right-center field to lead off the inning. Mid 9 | 16-3 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

• Ashby: 3-3, 2 R's, & 2 RBI's
• Urso: 2-5 (HR), 2 R's, & 6 RBI's
• Karstetter: 2-5 (HR), 2 R's, & 2 RBI's
• Villegas: 2-3, SB, BB, 3 R's, & 2 RBI's
• Woodburn: 2-3, BB, 2 R's, & RBI
• Saladino: 1-1 (HR), R, & RBI

ON THE MOUND:

• Robert Satin started on the mound. He threw 5 innings, giving up 3 runs while striking out 4. Satin picked up his first win as a Spartan and is now 1-0 on the season.
• Jacob Fletcher came in relief for Satin. He threw 2 innings, giving up 1 run while striking out 1.
• Ryan Stefiuk came in relief for Fletcher. He threw 1 scoreless inning while striking out 1.
• Eli Thurmond came in relief for Stefiuk. He threw 1 scoreless inning while striking out 1.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will have their first road SSC test of the season as they head back to Florida to take on Palm Beach Atlantic for a three game series starting on Friday, March 14^th at 6:00 PM.