No.17 Spartans Defeat Eckerd in Premiere SSC Matchup

Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team went up against Eckerd College Friday evening. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final: No.17 Tampa Spartans 2 , Eckerd College Tritons 1 

Records: No. 17 Tampa Spartans (6-3, 1-0 SSC), Eckerd Tritons (2-3, 0-1 SSC) 

Location: Naimoli Stadium | Tampa, Fla. 

All-time Series: Tampa has a commanding 97-23 lead in all-time matchups against the Tritons. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first inning is where all the action all happened for both the Spartans and the Tritons. Since the Tritons were away, they had the opportunity to try to get on the scoreboard first. A bad start by Corynn Miner, allowing two hits and a walk resulted in bases loaded for the Spartans very early in the game. As the Spartans strived to get out of this jam, Miner walked another batter allowing Tritons' Lokeinsky to score | Top 1st 1-0 (Tritons). However, Miner would pull herself up along with some help. Shortstop Stephanie Balmer threw out the runner at home plate to prevent another runner from scoring. Then Miner would strike out the next batter to end the inning.
• Sparking the Spartans' offense was a hard triple from Lauren Fantone to put a man in scoring position and set the tone for her team. Mariah Galhouse walked and then proceeded to steal second base using her smart instincts. Now, at the helm was Miner. Miner, knowing what transpired in the top of the first, sought vengeance, hitting a two-RBI double to left field, scoring Fantone and Galhouse | Bottom 1st 2-1 (Spartans)
• The Spartans' next three innings went hitless, going out on "one, two, threes." 
• In the top of the sixth inning, the Tritons made a little push to try and revise the score. Miner gave up her fourth and final walk, then allowed two men on base, both in scoring position. As usual, Miner was able to get out of trouble ending the Tritons last run | Top 6th 2-1 (Spartans) 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• (W) Miner; 7IP, 4KO, ER, 3H, 4BB/ 1-3 2RBI
• Tritons' (L) Perkins; 6IP, 4KO, 2ER, 3H, BB
• Fantone; 1-3, Triple, R

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Miner; Player of the game; game-winning hit
• Spartans take the first game of this weekend's three-game series against Eckerd
• Galhouse; on base at least once every game this season 

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Eckerd College in a doubleheader Saturday, Feb 19th at 1 & 3 pm in Tampa, Fla.

GAMEDAY MULTIMEDIA: Fans may watch all home games and Sunshine State Conference contests on TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are also available through TampaStats.com.

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