No. 6 Spartans Upset by No. 23 Eagles in Series Opener
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team fell to the Embry-Riddle Eagles, their first loss since March fifth.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: No. 23 Embry-Riddle Eagles 1, No. 6 Tampa Spartans 0
Records: No. 6 Tampa Spartans (23-9, 11-5 SSC), No. 23 Embry-Riddle Eagles (18-7, 10-3 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: The Eagles handed the Spartans their fourth loss in series history; the Spartans maintain their lead (11-4).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Top 1st
Mariah Galhouse set the tempo for the Spartans from the circle, striking out the first two batters for the Eagles. The third batter then grounded out to her as well. | 0-0
Bottom 1st
Stephanie Balmer was the first Spartan to get on base from an Eagles error. She quickly stole second and would remain there until Corynn Miner hit a single to move her over to third. Spartans would conclude the inning with both runners left on base. | 0-0
Bottom 4th
Miner provided a much-needed spark for the Spartans, crushing a ball to deep left-center. The next three Spartan batters would ground out and strikeout, leaving Miner stranded. | 0-0
Top 6th
Mahaliyah Sandridge stepped up for the Eagles with two outs, hitting a triple to centerfield. Pinch hitter Lia Johnson hit a hard single toward Alexa Russo at second base. Anxiously looking to get the third out for the Spartans, Russo would overthrow Jansen at first. Sandridge would score for the Eagles, and Johnson would advance to second on the error. | 1-0 Eagles
Bottom 6th
Lauren Fantone stepped up to the plate, hit a single up the middle, and later successfully stole second. Eagles Pitcher Kelsi Collins struck out Russo to end the inning. | 1-0 Eagles
INSIDE THE STATS:
- (W) Collins (12-3); 7IP, 3SO, 5H
- (L) Galhouse (10-6); 7IP, 5KO, 3H
BEYOND THE BOX:
- The Eagles end the Spartans 12-game winning streak.
- The last time the Eagles defeated the Spartans was in March of 2018.
UP NEXT: Tampa and Embry-Riddle will face off in a doubleheader tomorrow. Game one will start at 10:30 am.