CJ Williams's Eight Strong and Irigoyen's Four Hit Night Gives No. 1 Tampa Series Opening Win

TAMPA, FL. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans take the series opener over Embry-Riddle behind CJ Williams's eight innings on the hill and Jhoander Irigoyen's four hit night.

Final: #1 Tampa 9, Embry-Riddle 1

Records: #1 Tampa (21-4, 7-0 SSC), Embry-Riddle (16-8, 3-4 SSC)

Location: UTampa Baseball Field | Tampa, FL. 

All-Time Series: This was the 32^nd meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 20-12 against the Eagles.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Jordan Williams started the game off with a triple to right-center. Nico Saladino followed with a walk. With one out, Lenny Ashby was plunked with a pitch to load the bases up. With two outs, Jhoander Irigoyen delivered, clearing the bases with a three-run double to left-center field. End 1 | 3-0 Tampa
• With one out, Maddox King laced a double down the left-field line. J. Williams followed, beating out an infield single to give the Spartans first and third. J. Williams then stole second. Saladino followed with a walk to load the bases up. J.D. Urso then hit a ground ball to the Eagle's second baseman, which was completely mishandled. This led to every Spartan being safe on the play and brought King home. Ashby then hit a ground ball to the Eagle's third baseman, where the only play was an out at second base, which brought home J. Williams. With two outs, the Eagles pitcher attempted to pick off Ashby and threw it away, bringing Saladino home. End 2 | 6-0 Tampa
• With one out, Urso singled back up the middle. Ashby then hit a ground ball to the Eagle's second baseman, which the pitcher had to cover; however, the second baseman threw the ball behind the pitcher, which brought him off the bag. Brayden Woodburn then walked to load the bases up. Irigoyen continued to swing a hot bat, singling up the middle for his third hit of the game and bringing Urso and Ashby home. End 4 | 8-0 Tampa
• Irigoyen picked up his fourth hit of the game, leading off with a double to the left-field corner. Cole Russo followed with a rope single to right field to give the Spartans first and third. Then, with one out, King flew out to deep right field to bring home Irigoyen. End 7 | 9-0 Tampa

AT THE PLATE:

• Irigoyen: 4-5, R, 5 RBI's
• J. Williams: 2-4, BB, & 2 R's
• Russo: 2-4, R, & RBI
• King: 1-3, R, & RBI
• Urso: 1-4, R, & RBI

ON THE MOUND:

• C.J. Williams started on the mound. He threw 8 innings, striking out 7 and giving up 1 earned run. Williams picked up the win, improving to 6-1.
• Logan Wash came in relief for Williams. He threw a scoreless ninth inning and struck out the side.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will be back at the birdcage tomorrow, March 21^st, as they host a doubleheader to wrap up their series with Embry-Riddle. Game one will start at 1:00 PM. Game two will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.