Spartans Split with NSU Sharks on Saturday Afternoon to Win Season Series
Freshman Makaleigh Dooley earns her third win of the season as she helps Tampa win the series 2-1
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – On Saturday, the University of Tampa softball team wrapped up their regular season series against the Nova Southeastern University Sharks with an early afternoon doubleheader.
The two teams split the games, with UT taking the first game by a final score of 2-1 and NSU taking the second game 6-5 in 8 innings. With the series complete, Tampa's overall record is 7-7 and 4-5 in conference play. The Sharks in the meantime improve their record to 4-14 on the season and 1-8 in the SSC.
Pitching for the Spartans in the opener of the day was freshman Makaleigh Dooley (3-2). This time she went the full seven innings in this matchup after coming in the previous night to get the final out. The pitcher had a solid day in the circle as she spread five hits across the innings, allowing only one run to come in while striking out eight NSU batters and only tossing two walks.
Taking the ball for the Sharks was Megan Granitto (0-3). The pitcher only allowed two runs in the game despite giving up 12 hits to the Tampa offense. Granitto walked only one batter on the day and was not able to get any strikeouts.
At the plate, Dooley led the way for UT as she helped herself out by going 3 for 4 with the two RBI, including a double in the first inning that scored junior Bre Setree and gave UT the early lead. Also having a solid game at the plate were senior Alyssa Bache and junior Jennie Sittloh, both going 2 for 4. Left fielder Cristina Clauberg scored the run that would be the game winner for the Spartans in the third inning off a Dooley single to right center as she came home from second base.
The finale of the series was an eventful game as Tampa and Nova Southeastern University combined for 23 hits and 11 runs. The Spartans came up short as the Sharks were able to score one run in the bottom of the eight to win the game.
Bache (4-4) was the pitcher of choice for the third game as she started her second game of the series. She would go three innings, giving up two runs on three hits, two strikeouts, and two walks. In the fourth, Dooley (3-2) would come in to take over and pitch the final 4.2 innings. She would be tagged with the loss as she gave up four runs on eight hits, one walk and no strikeouts.
Pitching for the Sharks was freshman Erica Winter (2-5) who went the full eight innings. In those eight innings of work, Winter gave up five runs on 12 hits while also having three walks and a pair of strikeouts.
For the second game in a row UT's offense was alive to start the game as they were able to put three runs on the board in the first two innings. Dooley once again kicked things off as she singled through the left side to score Clauberg for the first run. Bache would follow her lead, as her base hit would reach all the way to the wall and score her teammate. In the second inning, senior Alyssa Colletti would come home after Setree was hit by a pitch with the bases already loaded that advanced the runners.
The teams would go back and forth the rest of the game as they finished the 7 regulation innings tied up at 5. The Spartans were not able to close the game out as NSU junior Rachel Minier got a single to get on base and junior Dakota Villella followed up with a triple that scored Minier.
Tampa will be back in action on Wednesday March 9th as they host the Ferris State University Bulldogs for a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Softball Field.
Live stats, as well as a live broadcast, will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com as well as on the new UT Spartans Front Row app available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, free of charge.
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