Spartans Take Series Opener Over Lions

Dade City, FLA. – The University of Tampa softball team traveled to Saint Leo to open up a road conference series against the Lions in a Saturday afternoon matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 13 Tampa Spartans 3, Saint Leo Lions 2

Records: No. 13 Tampa Spartans (18-8, 6-4 SSC), Saint Leo Lions (18-6, 7-3 SSC)

Location: Saint Leo University Softball Field | Dade City, Fla.

All-time Series: The Spartans are 67-68 in all-time matchups against the Lions.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st inning

Saint Leo started the game off strong. At the top of the first, Kayla Betts retires the spartan batters in order. Lion's leadoff batter Jordyn Wolfe hit a double to left field in the bottom half of the inning, followed by an RBI single from Isabella Andujar to put the Lions on the board.

4th inning

The Spartans get themselves on the board in the top of the fourth inning with back-to-back walks by Lauren Fantone and Corynn Miner. Alexa Russo broke the game open for the Spartans, hitting a three-run home run to left field, her second on the season. Corynn Miner showed her dominance in the circle retiring all three lions in order at the bottom of the inning.

7th inning

In the bottom half of the seventh inning, the Spartans found themselves in some trouble with a leadoff home run by Emily Pilon, bringing the Lions within one run of the Spartans (3-2). The Lions were down to their final out with two runners on when Corynn Miner struck out Alyssa Perez to improve to 7-2 on the mound.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• (W) Miner (7-2); 6IP, 7KO, 9H, 2ER
• (L) Betts (6-4)
• Russo (Tampa); 1-3 3-Run Home Run

BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Spartans win their seventh straight game.

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Saint Leo again in a doubleheader tomorrow, March 20th, at 1 and 3 pm.