Spartans Set for Season Opening Doubleheader
Tampa hosts Warner on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Softball team will open the 2018 campaign with a midday doubleheader against the Warner University Royals. The first pitch will be thrown at 1 p.m.
The Matchup: Tampa vs. Warner
Date/Time: Saturday, February 3rd at 1 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field | Tampa, Fla.
About the Spartans: The University of Tampa is No. 2 in the 2018 Sunshine State Conference preseason softball coaches' poll. The Spartans come in second with 84 votes after ending 2017 as conference runner-up. The Spartans return Makaleigh Dooley and Corynn Miner to the circle. Dooley finished last season with a 16-7 record with 166.1 innings of work in which she tallied 115 strikeouts and compiled a 1.94 ERA. Miner in the meantime completed her freshman season at 13-5 and 127.2 innings pitched with a 1.81 ERA. At the plate, UT will see the return of their starting centerfielder Sahrina Cortes and shortstop Cristina Clauberg after both missed significant portions of last season with injuries to provide an offensive boost. Dooley also will provide help at the plate as she finished the '17 campaign with a .313 AVG and eight extra-base hits. Last years starting catcher Maddie Farrell will also be looked to contribute as she led the team with 25 RBI and tied for third on the group with 13 walks.
About the Royals: The Royals are traveling to Tampa after posting a 29-15 overall 2017 record. As a team, they recorded a .291 batting average and a .380 slugging percentage. Warner returns Chantal Crockett, Sara Bruno, and Megan Hammett who hit .316, .303, and .220 respectively.
Series History: Tampa owns the all-time series over the Royals with a 4-0 record. Last time the two schools met in 2002, the Spartans swept the doubleheader 6-1 and 5-4.
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