Abby Sulte Goes Deep to Lead No. 10 Tampa to Sweep of UAH

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 10 University of Tampa softball team used a combination of clutch hitting and timely pitching to sweep a doubleheader against NCAA South Region foe University of Alabama at Huntsville on Thursday.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Location: Naimoli Stadium | University of Tampa 

History: Tampa extends its winning streak to five over UAH. The Chargers now lead the all-time series 10-9.

Game One Final: No. 10 Tampa 4 | Alabama-Huntsville 3

Game Two Final: No. 10 Tampa 2 | Alabama-Huntsville 1

Records: Tampa (4-0), Alabama-Huntsville (3-4)

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Alabama Huntsville struck first in the second inning, with M. Cartron doubling and later scoring on an RBI single from K. Smith to give UAH a 1-0 lead. Tampa threatened but was unable to bring a runner home in its half of the frame Tampa responded in the third when Abby Sulte launched a three-run home run, scoring Lilly Kiester and Lauren Fantone, to give the Spartans a 3-1 advantage. The Chargers fought back in the fifth inning, scoring two runs on a clutch single by J. Henderson to tie the game at 3-3. In the sixth inning, Tampa capitalized on a wild pitch, allowing pinch runner Dacie Watterson to advance to third. Kelsey Winters then drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3. Relief pitcher Gwen McGinnis delivered three shutout innings to close out the game, striking out four and allowing just one hit to secure the win for Tampa. McGinnis moved to 2-0 on the season with the win. Kate DeSimone started for the Spartans, tossing 4.0 innings.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Abby Sulte: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
• Kelsey Winters: 1-for-2, Sac Fly, RBI
• Gwen McGinnis: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K (Win)

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

Both teams struggled to generate offense early, with Tampa managing just one hit in the first two innings while Alabama Huntsville collected one, but failed to score. The Spartans took the lead when Lilly Kiester reached on an error, stole second, advanced to third on another error, and then scored on a passed ball, making it 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning. The Chargers answered in the fourth when J. Henderson singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by S. Harris, tying the game 1-1. Both teams had limited opportunities, with Tampa's Mariah Galhouse delivering a stellar pitching performance, allowing only one earned run through seven innings. After going to extras, Lauren Fantone singled, and Lilly Kiester reached on a bunt and an error, advancing both runners. Abby Sulte then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Fantone for the game-winning run. Gwen McGinnis would enter in the eighth, shutting down the Chargers with a pair of strikeouts with the bases loaded to give UT the opportunity for the walk-off win.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Lauren Fantone: 2-for-4, 1 R
• Abby Sulte: Sac Fly, Game-Winning RBI
• Mariah Galhouse: 7 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 K
• Gwen McGinnis: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K

UP NEXT: The Spartans host West Alabama on Friday with a 4 p.m., doubleheader.