Spartans Split Pair With #2 Florida Southern

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa softball team split a doubleheader with number-two Florida Southern College. UT won the first game by a score of 8-3 and dropped the second 9-3. The Spartans are now 5-10 on the season and 1-2 in Sunshine State Conference play. Florida Southern is now 14-6 and 2-1 in league play.

Both teams scored a pair of runs in the first inning of game one before the Moccasins took a 3-2 lead on a third inning run. The Spartans answered back with a four-run fourth inning courtesy of a three-run Michele Horan double.

The Spartans added two more insurance runs in the fifth, which was plenty for UT reliever Krystal Crooks. Heather Van Landingham started for UT, but gave way to Crooks after 2.1 innings.

In 4.2 hitless innings, Crooks improved her record to 2-0 on the season as she also struck out one Florida Southern batter. Horan and Devlin Dougherty each collected two hits as Horan also registered three RBI while Dougherty had two.

In game two, a three-run fourth for Florida Southern broke open the game as the Moccasins put it out of reach with a run in the fifth and another three spot in the sixth. Tampa, who led 3-2 heading into the third inning, committed a total of four errors on the evening.

Devlin Dougherty started the game for UT and went the distance, allowing nine hits in seven innings. Just five of Dougherty's nine runs were earned as she struck out three Moccasin batters.

Horan led the Spartan offensive attack again in game two, registering three hits and an RBI. Dougherty also drove in a drove in the second game.

Tampa is back in action on Saturday as it hosts Barry in a SSC matchup. Game time is schedule for 7 p.m.