
UT Drops Series Opener to Saint Leo
Tampa falls to the No. 4 Lions by a 4-0 final score
TAMPA, Fla – On Friday evening the University of Tampa Spartans faced off against the fourth ranked Saint Leo University Lions to open a three game series. The Spartan offense was shut out by the Lions as Saint Leo took game one by a 4-0 final score.
Tampa falls to 13-15 on the season and 5-8 in conference play while Saint Leo moves to 32-1 overall and are 15-1 in SSC matchups.
Starting the game in the circle for UT was senior Alyssa Bache (8-7). Bache threw the complete game and despite giving up six hits in the game, she did not give up any earned runs with the four runs scored by the Lions all being unearned and coming as a result of three Tampa defensive errors. Bache also managed to strike out three batters while tossing no walks.
Junior Stephanie Adkins was the starting pitcher for Saint Leo. Adkins also went the full seven innings, pitching a near perfect game. The junior did not give up any hits as an alert defense behind her kept the Spartans off the bases with the exception of one walk by Adkins.
Offensively, Tampa did not manage to get into any sort of rhythm as they struck out eight times and the only runner to get on base was Bache when she drew the walk in the fifth inning with one out. Freshman Nikki Alfano came in as a pinch runner and shortstop Alyssa Colletti was able to move her to second base with a sacrifice bunt. However, designated player Jennie Sittloh popped up to the pitcher in the next at bat to end the inning and any scoring chance.
The series will wrap up tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader as UT looks to break out of an offensive slump. The first game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Softball Field.
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