Tampa Splits Doubleheader with Lynn to Conclude Regular Season

The No. 9 University of Tampa (31-6, 19-5 SSC) softball team split a pair of games with Lynn University (21-30, 5-19 SSC) at Naimoli Family Field on Friday afternoon to clinch at least a share of the Sunshine State Conference title.

Four Spartans were honored between games, as Chelsey Brooks, Karlyn Buker, Katlyn Raatz, and Kayla Cox all played their final regular season game at UT.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

Junior Julia Morrow took the circle for the Spartans in game one and tossed 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts. She allowed one run on one hit and earned her 15th victory of the year.

Tampa jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Lindsay Dring delivered an RBI groundout that scored Kayleen Boatwright. Katlyn Raatz followed with an RBI single to plate Meagan Burke.

Lynn responded in the top of the fourth on an RBI triple by Kasey Murray cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Morrow and the Spartans limited the Fighting Knights offense to just two base runners and claimed the victory.

Raatz led UT with three hits each as Boatwright also contributed with a base hit.

Cox started game two for the Spartans and tossed 1.1 innings with three strikeouts while allowing five hits on four runs. Morrow pitched the final 5.2 innings with five strikeouts and suffered her third loss of the year after surrendering four runs on eight hits.

Lynn took an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the first on an RBI single by Jasmine Campos.

Tampa responded in the bottom of the inning with four runs to take the lead. Dring delivered a bases loaded RBI single that scored Boatwright. Alyssa Colletti cleared the bases with a clutch two out RBI double to plate pinch runner Meagan Brislin, Dring, and Raatz.

The Fighting Knights tied the game in the top of the second on a three-run homer by Devin Kochergen.

Lynn reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth on a solo homerun by Cherise McEnery. The Fighting Knights rallied for four runs in the inning and took an 8-4 advantage.

The Fighting Knights held the Spartans scoreless for the final six innings and earned the victory.

Burke led UT with four hits in the game as Kandi Kuder and Taylor Collins also contributed with a base hit each.

Tampa will now look forward to the 2014 NCAA Division II South Regional, which is scheduled to begin May 9. Pairings for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on NCAA.com.

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