Spartans Hand #16 Lions First Conference Loss
February 21, 2020

Spartans Hand #16 Lions First Conference Loss

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team rallied in the sixth inning, with a five-run outburst, to give No. 16 Saint Leo their first loss in conference play. Tampa has scored 12 runs in the sixth inning this year, including six games in which they've trailed or tied.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 6 (W: Corynn Miner, 5-2), No. 16 Saint Leo 3 (L: Sadi Avants, 2-1)

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (8-4, 3-1 SSC), No. 16 Saint Leo University Lions (10-4, 0-1 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: The Lions lead the series, 66-62, however the Spartans have found recent success winning eight of the last ten meetings. Dating back to last season, Tampa has defeated Saint Leo in three of the last four games. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

TOP 2ND | Saint Leo's Emily Pilon led off the inning with a base-knock up the middle. Maddy Lynn roped a double off the left field fence which advanced Pilon to third. With two outs, Kacie Kelly walked to load the bases for the Lions. Corynn Miner allowed back-to-back walks, three consecutive, with the bases loaded to give Saint Leo a two-run lead. || SLU 2, UT 0

TOP 3RD | Amanda James started the third inning with a single to right field. Lynn added a base hit for the Lions to advance James into scoring position. Alli Jaquith singled in between shortstop and third base to fill up the bases. The catcher, Grace Spitulski, used a ground ball to second base to extend the lead for the Lions. Cristina Clauberg was playing half-way in the infield and did not have a play at home plate. || SLU 3, UT 0

BOT 3RD | In her second at-bat of the evening, Stephanie Balmer laced a base hit through the left side. On a passed ball, Balmer moved into scoring position. With two outs, Miner helped her cause with a RBI single to center. After the third inning RBI, Miner leads the Spartans with eight on the year. || SLU 3, UT 1

BOT 6TH | The Spartans battled back in the sixth inning as Mariah Galhouse began the inning with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt, Bailey Phillips walked to put the tying run on base. Lexie Chevalier cut the lead in half with a single down the left field line. SLU made a pitching change with two runners on base and brought in Kayla Betts, a freshman who did not allow an earned run in her first 17 collegiate innings. The Spartans sent a freshman pinch-hitter to the plate in Ansley Casillas. The two runners advanced on a wild pitch and Casillas walked to juice the bases. After battling deep into the count, Emily Proffitt roped the two-strike offering into left field to tie the game. With the bases juiced, Claubergcleared the bases with a three-run laser to the left field warning track. || UT 6, SLU 3

INSIDE THE STATS:

  • Corynn Miner tossed 6.2 innings in her sixth start of the year; the right-hander earned her fifth win behind 11 strikeouts, allowing three runs on seven hits. 
  • Cristina Clauberg tied her career-high with the three-RBI performance. The senior accomplished the same feat against Saint Leo last season (4/25).
  • Miner and Lexie Chevalier recorded two hits and an RBI a piece; Miner leads the team with eight RBI.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

  • Miner owns a 0.80 ERA in eight appearances and has struck out 37 batters in her last three starts. 
  • Offensively, Miner extended her hit streak to seven games.
  • Emily Proffitt's batting .368 on the year with seven hits in 19 at-bats. 
  • It was the second come-from-behind victory for the Spartans in the last three games. 
  • Tampa has scored 12 runs in the sixth inning this year, including six games in which they've trailed or tied. 

UP NEXT: Tampa's scheduled for a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon against No. 16 Saint Leo, the first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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