
Top-10 Battle Results in No. 3 Tampa Sweep of No. 6 Wilmington
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 3 University of Tampa softball team claimed both doubleheader wins over No. 6 Wilmington (Del.) University of Saturday at Naimoli Field.
Inside The Matchup
Location: Naimoli Field | Tampa, Fla.
Final Score (Game One): No. 3 Tampa 2 | No. 6 Wilmington 1 (8 innings)
Final Score (Game Two): No. 3 Tampa 5 | No. 6 Wilmington 0
History: Tampa now has a 7-0 all-time record against Wilmington.
Records: Tampa (15-1), Wilmington (4-4)
Game One Highlights
Both teams struggled to generate offense through the first five innings as Tampa's Gwen McGinnis and Wilmington's D. Sheehan engaged in a tense pitching battle. McGinnis was dominant, going the full eight innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out four. Sheehan, despite taking the loss, pitched admirably, surrendering two runs on eight hits across 7.2 innings. The deadlock was finally broken in the top of the sixth when Wilmington's T. Stewart led off with a single and later stole second. With two outs, D. Sheehan came through with an RBI single to left-center, plating Stewart and giving Wilmington a 1-0 lead.
Tampa wasted no time responding in the bottom of the sixth. Mariah Galhouse singled up the middle with two outs before Abby Sulte laced a crucial RBI single down the right-field line, scoring Galhouse and tying the game at 1-1.
After a scoreless seventh inning, Tampa found the magic in the bottom of the eighth. Mariah Galhouse once again ignited the rally, reaching on an infield single and later stealing second. With two outs, Abby Sulte delivered her second RBI hit of the game, a single to right field, driving in Galhouse and securing the 2-1 victory for Tampa.
Top Performers (Game One)
- Abby Sulte – 3-for-4, 2 RBI, game-winning hit
- Mariah Galhouse – 2-for-4, 2 runs, stolen base
- Gwen McGinnis – 8.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 K (Win, 8-0)
Game Two Highlights
Tampa wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Lauren Fantone led off with a bunt single and quickly scored when Lilly Kiester roped a triple to right field, putting the Spartans ahead 1-0. The Spartans extended their lead in the third. Kinnah Kreidler delivered an RBI single up the middle, bringing home Fantone. Later in the inning, Alexa Russo added to the tally with a sacrifice fly, scoring Mariah Galhouse and making it 3-0.
Tampa continued to pressure Wilmington's defense in the fifth inning. Kinnah Kreidler doubled to left center, plating Lilly Kiester. Moments later, Mariah Galhouse helped her own cause, driving in Kreidler with a single up the middle, securing a comfortable 5-0 lead.
Mariah Galhouse was the star of the game, throwing a complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out two. She efficiently worked through the Wilmington lineup, inducing 13 groundouts to control the game.
Top Performers (Game Two)
- Mariah Galhouse – 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (Win, 5-0); 2-for-3, 1 RBI
- Kinnah Kreidler – 2-for-3, 2 RBI, double
- Lilly Kiester – 2-for-2, 1 RBI, triple, 2 runs scored
- Lauren Fantone – 2-for-3, 2 runs scored