No. 1 Spartans Drop Series Opener in Lakeland

LAKELAND, FL. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans drop the series opener to #8 Florida Southern on Friday night.

Final: #8 Florida Southern 6, #1 Tampa 3

Records: #1 Tampa (24-5, 9-1 SSC), #8 Florida Southern (23-6, 8-2 SSC)

Location: Henley Field | Lakeland, FL.  

All-Time Series: This was the 224^th meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 113-111 against the Mocs. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Nico Saladino singled through the left side to lead off the inning. With one out, Brayden Woodburn doubled to the right field corner to bring home Saladino, and Woodburn would advance to third on the play. After a Jhoander Irigoyen walk, Mike Valdez hit a sacrifice fly to right to bring home Woodburn. Mid 5 | 3-2 Florida Southern
• With one out, Saladino walked, Saladino would come into score once again on a Woodburn double to left center. Top 9 | 6-3 Florida Southern

AT THE PLATE: 

• Woodburn: 2-4, BB, R, & 2 RBI's
• Saladino: 2-4, BB, & 2 R's
• Valdez: 1-2, BB, & RBI

ON THE MOUND: 

• C.J. Williams started on the mound. He threw 6 innings, striking out 4 and giving up 3 earned runs. Williams finished with receiving the loss on the night and is now 6-2 on the season.
• Eli Thurmond came in relief for Williams. He threw 1 inning, striking out 2 and giving up 1 runs in his outing.
• Logan Wash came in relief for Thurmond. He gave up 1 run and recorded 1 out.
• Carson Caso came in relief for Wash. He recorded the last two outs in the eighth.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will be back tomorrow, March 29^th, as they take on a doubleheader to wrap up their series with Florida Southern. Game one will start at 1:00 PM. Game two will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.