Kreidler Sets Single Game Walk Record, Spartans Down Mocs 8-0

Tampa, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team was back home this evening to kick off a three game series with rival Florida Southern. The Spartans are coming into this matchup fresh off a weekend sweep of Embry-Riddle and looking to extend their 25 game winning streak. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: Tampa Spartans 30-1 (13-0 SSC), Florida Southern 7-27 (2-14 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Stadium l Tampa, Fla

History: Tonight's game was the 139th meeting all-time between these two programs, Tampa has now won 15 straight but is still down in the series 62-77. 

Final: #2 Tampa 8, Florida Southern 0

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

To begin this weekend's three game set against the rival Mocs, Gwen McGinnis was handed the ball in the circle. She began the night by striking out the first two batters on six straight pitches before inducing a weak ground for a 1-2-3 top of the first. In the bottom half of the inning, the Spartans put together lengthy at bats that resulted in base runners. Lilly Kiester earned the first hit of the night after a six pitch at bat, depositing a slider into left center for an easy single. After an eight pitch at bat, Kinnah Kreidler earned her first walk of the game to put two Spartans on with only one out. Unfortunately, Florida Southern was able to work out of the jam without allowing a run to keep the game scoreless heading into the second inning. The Mocs went on to earn their first hit of the contest in the top of the second but McGinnis shut down the rest of the inning with ease. Abby Sulte led off the bottom of the second inning with a base hit up middle before the Spartans started applying pressure on the Moc defense. Kate DeSimone found a way on base by laying down a sacrifice bunt that ended up in right field after a wild throw. This put two runners on for McKenna DEmartino to make something happen. The freshman battled to produce a hard ground ball to the left side, beating it out for a single. Demartino's speed forced the Florida Southern shortstop to try and make a play somewhere else. In doing so, She forced a throw to third base and it ended up in the Spartan dugout allowing Sulte and DeSimone to score. This gave Tampa their first runs of the ballgame and a 2-0 lead after the first two innings of play. In response to the Tampa runs, the Mocs led off the top of third with a base hit in an attempt to start a rally. However, McGinnis and her battery behind the dish had other plans. She struck out the next batter on four pitches and catcher Kinah Krielder displayed her elite hand eye coordination by running down a ball in foul territory. The inning would end before the next at bat ended because Kinnah Kreidler hosed the Moc runner trying to steal second base. Kreidler took her great defense and translated it into success at the plate, leading off the bottom of the third with a walk. She then advanced to second without hesitation on a dirt ball read to put herself in a position to score. Florida Southern's starter was once again able to bear down to strand Kreidler, holding the Tampa lead at 2-0 heading into the fourth. Gwen McGinnis did allow a hit in the top of the fourth but that was it as she threw up another zero in the circle. Kate DeSimone worked a full count and drew a walk to lead off the bottom half of the inning before advancing to second on a sac bunt. Desimone was moved to third on a sacrifice fly to right field by Kenzie Reynolds but she would be the third Spartans baserunner to be stranded at third base after a strikeout to end the inning. In the top of the fifth, Gwen McGinnis continued to dominate in the circle. She began the inning by inducing back to back weak fly balls before getting the third out via a groundout to Demartino at short. Even though two runs ended up being enough to win this game, the Spartans wanted to add on in order to give their dominant starter more breathing room. Lilly Kiester led off the inning with a base hit to left field and stole second two pitches later. Once again, the Spartans had a baserunner in scoring position with under two outs and threatening to extend the lead. Following a Kinnah Kreidler walk, Mariah Galhouse doubled down the left field line to score Kiester. With Kreidler and Galhouse on second and third, Alexa Russo singled to bring home both and push the Tampa lead to 5-0. Still looking to apply the pressure, the Spartans worked two more baserunners into scoring position with one out but Florida Southern was able to finally get out of the inning. With only six outs to get, Gwen McGinnis went right back to work. She got the first out of the top of the sixth on her very first pitch, a weak flyball to right. McGinnis then pitched another easy to handle flyout before finishing the inning with another flyout. In what was the last time at the plate this game for the Spartans, they led off the inning with a base hit from Emma Sic before Kinnah Kreidler drew her fourth walk of the game. Kreidler's four walks is now a single game record for the Tampa Softball program. After another Spartan walk to load the bases, Mariah Galhouse singled to bring home the sixth run of the game. Alexa Russo followed her teammate up with an RBI herself on a ground ball to the right side and the Spartans were a run away from a mercy rule victory. They got the much needed eighth run of the game on a Kelsey Winters rope to left field. This 8-0 win pushes the Tampa win streak to 26 games and their 13-0 start to conference play is the best start in the SSC since 2011. 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Gwen McGinnis final line - 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER

• Kinnah Kreidler - Sets program record for walks in a single game with 4

• Mariah Galhouse goes 2-4 with 2 RBI's 

UP NEXT: The Spartans and Mocs will be right back at Naimoli Family Stadium tomorrow for a double header. First pitch for game one is slated for 1:00pm with game two starting shortly after the conclusion of game one.