Spartans Sweep Montevallo in Opening Day Doubleheader

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 10 University of Tampa softball team hosted the University of Montevallo for Opening Day of the 2024 season. The Spartans swept the Falcons, winning a thriller in walk-off fashion in game one and handling Montevallo in game two for a 5-0 shutout.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Game One Final: No. 10 Tampa 4, Montevallo 3 

Game Two Final: No. 10 Tampa 5, Montevallo 0

Records: University of Tampa Spartans 2-0, University of Montevallo Falcons 0-2

Location: Naimoli Field | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: This was the first meeting ever between both schools.

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME ONE:

• Tampa faced an early deficit in their first game of the season, as some sloppy play defensively led to a 3-0 Montevallo lead in the top of the third inning. Ariana Pinder led off for the Falcons with a first-pitch single and advanced to 3^rd on an error in the next plate appearance, putting runners on the corners. Sydney Reaves drove in the first run of the season for Montevallo on a fielder's choice where all runners ended up safe. Later in the frame with two outs, a throwing error by the shortstop allowed two runners to score. | 3-0 Montevallo
• Needing a spark, the Spartans found it from an unlikely source in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman Megan Devilliers had struck out in her first two at-bats of her college career, but the third time was the charm. Her first collegiate his was a big one, a solo blast to left field to put the Spartans on the board. | 3-1 Montevallo
• With a little momentum on their side following the Devilliers homer and a shutdown top of the seventh inning, the Spartans would put the tying run on base when Ava Ramirez reached on an error and Stephanie Balmer drew a walk to start the frame. A Lauren Fantone sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, creating a prime scoring chance for pinch-hitter Alexa Russo. She would deliver, smacking a single into left field that plated both runners and tied the game. The Spartans weren't satisfied and would complete the comeback when the next batter Camryn Wineinger roped a double to the wall in right-centerfield that scored Russo from first base. | Final:4-3 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME ONE:

• Mariah Galhouse earned the win, pitching all 7 innings and allowing 0 earned runs with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.
• Wineinger recorded 3 hits, 2 of which were doubles, including the walk-off. 

HOW IT HAPPENED — GAME TWO:

• After Tampa starting pitcher Kate DeSimone retired the side in the top of the first, the Spartans offense got things going right away in the bottom half of the inning. Lauren Fantone led off with a double and immediately came in to score on the next play on a throwing error as Lilly Kiester laid down a sacrifice bunt. Later in the frame with two outs, Mariah Galhouse drove in Kiester with a bloop RBI single into centerfield. | 2-0 Tampa
• In their second time through the order, the Spartans tacked on a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Camryn Wineinger started the rally with a one-out single, followed by Galhouse's second hit of the contest and a Megan Devilliers walk to load the bases. Wineinger would come in to score on an RBI fielder's choice in the next plate appearance from Lexie Chevalier. DeSimone drew a walk to re-load the bases, which led to another run on a Stephanie Balmer RBI infield single. | 4-0 Tampa
• Tampa added one final insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Devilliers led off with a base hit up the middle and moved into scoring position on pinch hitter Caroline Watson's sacrifice bunt. The small ball from the Spartans paid off when Balmer knocked in her second RBI of the game with a single to right field to plateDevilliers. | 5-0 Tampa
• DeSimone returned to the circle to finish the shutout in the top of the seventh, inducing three flyouts to complete the sweep and impressive pitching performance. | Final: 5-0 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS — GAME TWO:

• DeSimone allowed 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 in the shutout.
• Fantone and Galhouse each recorded 2 hits.

UP NEXT: Tampa continues a busy weekend at Naimoli Field, hosting No. 12 Alabama-Huntsville for a doubleheader at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. in a rematch from the 2023 NCAA South Regional on Saturday, Feb. 3.