Tampa Tops Florida Southern to Sweep SSC Series

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (21-9, 9-6 SSC) softball team claimed a 5-3 victory over Florida Southern College (14-23, 1-11 SSC) at Naimoli Family Field Sunday afternoon.

Senior Julia Morrow started for the Spartans and earned her 18th victory of the season. She tossed 7.0 innings with 10 strikeouts while allowing one earned run on six hits.

Florida Southern took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as a result of a Tampa fielding error.

Tampa answered in the bottom half of the inning as Kelsey Humphrey delivered a clutch two out RBI double to plate Meagan Brislin. Kandi Kuder drew a bases loaded walk to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage.

The Mocs responded in the top of the third and evened the score at 2-2 on a squeeze bunt by Leah Pemberton to score Gianni Artidiello.

Meagan Burke blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to give UT a 4-2 lead as Sahrina Cortes came around to score.
Cortes gave the Spartans an insurance run in the sixth as the shortstop singled home Taylor Collins for a 5-2 advantage.

Florida Southern added a run in the seventh to cut the deficit to 5-3 but Morrow and the Tampa defense held off the Mocs comeback to claim the victory.

UT returns to action on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Eckerd to open the Sunshine State Conference series with the Tritons. Live stats will be available at www.tampa.statbroadcast.com.

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