Softball Splits Double Header With #16 Saint Leo Saturday

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team spilt the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon against No. 16 Saint Leo University. In the first two weeks of SSC play, the Spartans have secured back-to-back series victories. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game One):

Final: No. 16 Saint Leo 2 (W: Sara Neuman, 1-0) (S: Kayla Betts, 3), Tampa 0 (L: Mariah Galhouse, 3-2) 
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (8-5, 3-2 SSC), No. 16 Saint Leo University Lions (11-4, 1-1 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: The Lions lead the series, 67-62, however the Spartans have found recent success winning seven of the last ten meetings. Dating back to last season, Tampa has won three of the last five against Saint Leo.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Additionally, @Tampa_Softball on Twitter, and Instagram for social media content and scoring updates.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

TOP 2ND | Saint Leo's Emily Pilon led off with an infield hit in between shortstop and third base. Maddy Lynn singled a laser straight back up the middle. Kayleice Hooks advanced the runners into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. In the top of the second inning, SLU's head coach made the move to pinch-hit Taylor McCray for Alli Jaquith. Mariah Galhouse, the Spartans' starting pitcher, struck out the pinch-hitter for the second out of the inning. With two outs and the bases-loaded, Deanna Falciglia hit a grounder to second base; Cristina Clauberg bobbled the ball and Falciglia was safe on a close play at first. Pilon came into score for the first run of the game on Clauberg's first error of the season. In the following at-bat, the leadoff hitter, Kacie Kelly, lasered a single to left to extend the lead for the Lions. Galhouse fielded a grounder with two outs and made the routine throw to first to end the inning. || No. 16 SLU 2, UT 0

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Mariah Galhouse tossed a complete game without allowing an earned run, however, earned the loss in the decision. The Sping Hill, Fla. native allowed two runs on six hits and no walks.
• Galhouse went the distance for the second time in her freshman campaign. The right-hander recorded four strikeouts, her second-highest output of the year. 
• Maddie Farrell reached base in all three at-bats with two hits and a walk. The senior catcher registered her fourth multi-hit game in 13 starts; the second time in six conference games. 
• Farrell gunned down a Saint Leo baserunner for the fourth runner caught stealing this season.
• Bailey Phillips was plunked for her team-leading fifth hit-by-pitch. In 2019, Phillips led the team with 12 hit-by-pitches. 
• SLU's Kacie Kelly, a two-time NFCA All-American, went 2-for-3 and drove in the insurance run in the second inning. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Clauberg owns a .969 fielding percentage in 32 total chances; the redshirt-senior has made 18 putouts in ten games played, the second-most by a non first-basemen or catcher.
• With the leadoff single in the sixth inning, Corynn Miner extended her hit streak to eight games. 
• Emily Proffitt 's batting .364 on the year with eight hits in 21 at-bats. 
• Six of Tampa starters logged at least one base hit. Five SLU starters registered at least one base-knock. 
• It was the first time the Spartans' offense had been shutout this season. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (Game Two):

Final: Tampa 3 (W: Corynn Miner, 6-2), No. 16 Saint Leo University Lions 0 (L: Rachel Bean, 1-1)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (9-5, 4-2 SSC), No. 16 Saint Leo University Lions (11-5, 1-2 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: The Lions lead the series, 67-63, however the Spartans have found recent success winning seven of the last ten meetings. With the Saturday spilt, Tampa clinched back-to-back series victories over SLU.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Additionally, @Tampa_Softball on Twitter, and Instagram for social media content and scoring updates.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

BOT 1ST | To lead off the game for UT, Stephanie Balmer scorched a line-drive to the left-center field gap for a stand up double. Cristina Clauberg chopped a grounder to SLU senior shortstop, Kacie Kelly, which leaked into the outfield to allow Balmer advancement to third base. With runners at the corners, Corynn Miner scolded a ground ball to Kelly, a senior captain, who flipped to second base for a fielders choice. The RBI groundout from Miner gave the Spartans the first lead of the afternoon. || UT 1, No. 16 SLU 0

BOT 2ND | Bailey Phillips led off with a walk to give Tampa leadoff baserunners in consecutive innings. Lexie Chevalier implented a sacrifice bunt to advance Phillips into scoring position. The Lions' two-time All-American shortstop, Kelly, committed her second error of the game on a grounder from Emalee Jansen. For the second-consecutive innings, the Spartans' found themselves with runners at the corners as Phillips moved to third. Emily Proffitt broke up a double-play and extended the lead for UT with a ground ball fielders' choice up the middle. || UT 2, No. 16 SLU 0

BOT 6TH | With two outs, Proffitt smoked a single through the left-side. Balmer, an All-SSC shortstop, blasted the offering inside-out to right-center field for her second double of the game. The sophomore shortstop logged her second RBI of the season as Proffitt scored from first base on the extra-base hit. || UT 3, No. 16 SLU 0

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Corynn Miner, a red-shirt junior pitcher, tossed a complete game two-hit shutout. Miner sent down six batters via strikeouts, allowed no walks and went the distance for the fifth time this year.
• Stephanie Balmer logged two doubles in three at-bats; Balmer entered the game with one double in 46 at-bats. 
• Emily Profitt and Balmer were the only Spartans to record base-knocks in the rubber match.
• Seven starters reached base for UT as four separate Spartans earned a free-pass.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Miner earned her sixth win of the year as the right-hander owns a 0.70 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched. 
• Miner has tossed a complete game shutout in two of the last three games, including a 17-inning affair last week against Palm Beach Atlantic. 
• Proffitt extended her five game hit streak as she owns a .360 batting average; the junior from Delaware matched her season total with her second inning RBI.
• In six conference games, Proffitt's batting .312 with five hits in 16 at-bats. In this weekend's series, the left-fielder totaled two RBI and two runs scored. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans continue the home-stand with a doubleheader on Monday afternoon against Davenport as first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. 

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