Spartans Take Two From Augustana
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa softball team continued its hot stretch with a pair of 3-2 victories over Augustana (S.D.) College. The Spartans improve to 22-12 on the season while the Vikings fall to 4-12.
In the second inning of game one, Augustana started out with a walk by Ally Rutherford followed by an Erika Wolner single advancing Rutherford to second. With two outs, Krista Meyer and Kayla Henke both walked scoring Rutherford and taking the early 1-0 lead.
In the third, the Vikings attacked again, starting out with a Christina Stangl triple. Rutherford then singled, driving in Stangl for the 2-0 lead.
In bottom of the third, Katie Davis started out with a double to left field followed by a Michele Horan walk. Samantha Becker reached on an error and advanced to second on the throw. Ashley Carrea entered the game to pitch run for Becker on second. Devlin Dougherty advanced Carrea to third on a pop up to second baseman. Kelly Glover reached on another error driving in Carrea.
Tampa capitalized on two errors by the Vikings shortstop, Rutherford, taking a 3-2 lead as the Vikings could not counter the lethal third inning spark. Dougherty took the win for the Spartans improving to 10-6 on the season.
In game two, Tampa started out aggressive with a double by Brandi Blout followed by a Katie Davis single advancing Blout to third. The Spartans were not finished as Horan connected for a triple to right field driving in Blout and Davis. Kallan Casey registered a sacrifice fly deep to right field, honoring the tag for Horan to score.
In the fifth inning, Alli Hubers led off with a walk. Alicia DeHoogh railed a fielder's choice, advancing Hubers to second who later scored off a Krista Meyer double to center field. The Vikings could only account for one run during the fifth, retiring the inning 3-1.
Augustana added another run in their half of the seventh as UT pitcher Heather Van Landingham got out of a jam while retiring the final batter with the bases loaded. Van Landingham earned the win, moving to 8-6 on the season.
The Spartans will take a week off before hosting Nova Southeastern on Friday at 7 p.m.