Eighth-Inning Grand Slam gives No. 1 Tampa a loss to Albany State

Albany, GA. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans fall to Albany State after giving up an 8th-inning grand slam.

Final: Albany State 8, #1 Tampa 6

Records: #1 Tampa (20-4), Albany State (14-12)

Location: Golden Rams' Field at West Campus | Albany, GA. 

All-Time Series: This was the 20^th meeting between these two programs. The Spartans lead with a 16-4 record over the Golden Rams.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With one out, Edgardo Villegas beat out an infield hit to the Shortstop. He then advanced to second on a pickoff attempt throwing error by the Golden Ram's Pitcher, and he then stole third base. With two outs, Lenny Ashby would get a swinging bunt single to bring in Villegas. Mid 1 | 1-0 Tampa

• Mike Valdez led the inning off connecting for his first home run of the season. Nico Saladino followed, reaching first base safely due to an error by the Golden Ram's first baseman. Joe Stella followed with his first long-ball of the season to extend the Spartans lead. Mid 2 | 4-1 Tampa

• After a one-out single from Santiago Garavito, he would come into score on a Golden Rams error. Mid 4 | 5-3 Tampa
• With one-out, Saladino would draw a walk. Stella followed with a walk. Garavito singled to load the bases up. Jordan Williams would bring in Saladino with a sacrifice fly to center field. Mid 6 | 6-4 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

• Stella: 2-3 (HR), 2 R's, 2 RBI's, & BB
• Ashby: 2-5 & RBI
• Garavito: 1-3, BB, & R
• Brayden Woodburn: 1-4 & BB
• Valdez: 1-5 (HR), R, & RBI
• Villegas: 1-3, R, & RBI

ON THE MOUND:

• Jacob Fletcher started on the mound. He threw 2 innings and gave up 1 earned run. Fletcher finished with a no-decision on the afternoon.
• Ethan Brown came in relief for Fletcher. He threw 1.2 innings while giving up 3 runs and striking out 4.
• Eli Thurmond came in relief for Brown. He threw 1.1 scoreless innings.
• Carson Caso came in relief for Thurmond. He threw 2 innings while giving up 2 earned runs and striking out 1. Caso received the loss on the afternoon and is now 0-1 on the season.
• Michael Alfonso came in relief for Caso. He threw 1 inning while giving up 2 earned runs and striking out 1.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will be back at the birdcage as they host a three-game SSC series with Embry-Riddle. The three-game set will kick off at 6:00 PM, Friday, March 21^st.