Spartans Sweep Doubleheader, Series With Eckerd
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The University of Tampa concluded a three-game Sunshine state Conference series at Eckerd College with a pair of 8-2 victories in a doubleheader. The Spartans improve to 20-12 on the season and 7-2 in SSC play as they have now won 15 of their last 17 games. The Tritons drop to 13-22 and 1-8 in league play.
The first run of the night came on a gutsy delay steal of home by Eckerd's Janielle Sedoris. Later in the inning, Amy McGathey drove in Morgan Hugart as the Tritons took a 2-0 lead into the third inning.
It did not take Tampa long to answer. Kallan Casey led the third off with a single to left, after Devlin Dougherty walked and Kelly Glover singled up the middle to load the bases for Jessica Tejas. With one quick swing the Spartans were up 4-2 as Tejas hit a grand slam homerun, her second of the season. Tampa added another run in the inning when Casey notched her second hit of the inning as she drove in Jessica Keefe.
Dougherty came up with the bases loaded in the fifth and delivered with a two run single through the right the side. Katie Davis and Casey scored on the play and Tampa's lead was extended to 7-2.
Casey added an insurance solo homerun in the top of the seventh putting Tampa ahead with the final score of 8-2.
Dougherty improved her record to 9-6 on the season with a complete performance where she scattered five hits allowing only two runs and striking out six Triton batters.
The Spartans came out on top in game two with a sluggish third inning by the Tritons. Casey reached on an error by second baseman Mettina Maggiore. Samantha Becker doubled driving in Casey and Dougherty walked. Kelly Glover railed a fielder's choice and Becker took the first out of the inning. Jessica Tejas entered a fielder's choice as well advancing Dougherty and Glover.
Brandi Blout then doubled, driving in Dougherty and Glover. Katie Davis reached on a fielder's choice, bringing in Tejas for the 5-2 Tampa lead that was extended to 8-2 as a final.
Tampa returns home to host Augustana (S.D.) on Friday at 5 p.m.