Tampa Falls to NSU In Upset Loss

TAMPA, FLA. – The University of Tampa softball team went up against Nova Southeastern Friday evening in the first of a three-game series.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Nova Southeastern Sharks 3, No. 11 Tampa Spartans 2

Records: No. 11 Tampa Spartans (11-6, 5-2 SSC), Nova Southeastern Sharks (11-7, 1-3 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Stadium | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: The Spartans are 35-21 in all-time matchups against the Sharks.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Bottom 2nd

Tampa went on a run with three straight singles loading up the bases. Unfortunately, the next two Spartans could not capitalize on this opportunity, leaving the bases loaded heading into the 3rd inning. 

Bottom 3rd

Nova's Hess struck Mariah Galhouse by a pitch, putting her on base. A ground ball error by Nova's first baseman, Janowiak allowed Lexie Chevalier to advance to first base, advancing Corynn Miner to second and scoring Galhouse for the first run of the game | 1-0 (Spartans). With Miner already at third, Chevalier would steal second, putting two runners in scoring position. Emalee Jansen would get ground into a fielder's choice that would score Miner for the Spartans second run | 2-0 (Spartans). 

Top 6th

Miner gave up a walk and hit to put two runners on base. Nova then tried to bunt and wear what looked to be an easy out at first for Abigail Siegel, but it was not. Siegel overthrew first base, allowing Nova's two runners to score to tie the game. | 2-2 

Bottom 7th

The Spartans came into the half-inning trying to close out the game. Although Alexa Russo singled with two outs, the Spartans would go down on four batters with one runner left on base to go into extra innings. 

Top 8th 

The Spartans could not close out the game, so the Sharks were determined to finish things out. Coach Leslie Kanter substituted her first baseman, pitcher, third baseman, and left fielder to make some adjustments to start the inning. Now Galhouse was the closing pitcher, looking to get her second save of the season. However, after already allowing a runner on base, Galhouse threw a wild pitch advancing NSU's Lageyre. This jeopardized the chances of winning for the Spartans as NSU's Janowiak singled up the middle for an RBI single I 3-2 (Spartans).

Bottom 8th

The Spartans could not retaliate back as they went down on four at-bats with one runner left on first base. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• (W) Hess (3-3); 6IP, 4KO, 6H, 2ER
• (L) Galhouse (4-4)
• Janowiak (NSU); 1-4 game-winning RBI

BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Sharks win their first SSC game of the season.
• The Spartans lost two straight for the first time since February 5th.

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Nova Southeastern again in a doubleheader Saturday, March 5th @ 12 and 2 pm in Tampa, Fla.