#1 Spartans Split Road Doubleheader In South Florida

Davie, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team was back in action today for an afternoon double header with Nova Southeastern. With both teams atop the Sunshine State standing, these two contests were going to be important wins down the stretch. After losing the opener 1-0 last night, the Spartans were eager to get back on the diamond. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: #1 Tampa Spartans 33-3 (16-2 SSC), #16 Nova Southeastern 30-10 (13-5 SSC) 

Location: NSU Softball Stadium l Davie, Fla

History: Today's double header was the 69th and 70th matchups all-time between these two programs. With the split, Tampa still leads the series 41-29. 

Game One Final: #1 Tampa 8, #16 Nova Southeastern 0

Game Two Final: #1 Tampa 1, #16 Nova Southeastern 2

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

The big question of the day was how do the Spartans respond to having their 28 game snapped after a 1-0 shutout loss last night. The answer, a lot of runs. Although the first three innings remained scoreless, Tampa had multiple baserunners and was threatening to push runs across. In the top of the fourth inning, Mariah Galhouse and Alexa Russo hit back to back singles to spark an one out rally. Two batters later, Kelsey Winters came up huge with a two out single up the middle to score two runs and take the lead. In the circle for the Spartans, Kate Desimone was fantastic. She started the game by sitting down the first seven batters in order and did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. Despite allowing the one hit in the bottom of the fourth, DeSimone continued to mow down the Sharks. She tossed a big 1-2-3 inning after the Spartans put up another run in the fifth inning to take a 3-0 lead into the final two innings. Tampa added another run in the top of the sixth when Abby Sulte touched them all after smashing a deep fly ball over the right field wall. Kate DeSimone picked up three more scoreless outs in the bottom half after battling through two baserunners. In the top of the seventh, the Spartans blew the game open. Mariah Galhouse and Alexa Russo got the inning started with RBI hits to the outfield before Abby Sulte belted her second long ball of the game. Now leading 8-0, DeSimone sat the Sharks down in order to secure her fourth shutout of the year. After dropping the series opener, the Spartans rallied to take game two and tie the series up at one win a piece.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Kate DeSimone final line - 7.0 IP, 7 SO, 2 H, 0 ER

• Abby Sulte - 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI's

• Mariah Galhouse - 2-4, 2 RBI's 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

In the rubber match of this top 20 series, the Spartans went right back to Kate DeSimone in the circle. Coming off a seven inning, two hit shutout in game one, she began game three with a strikeout before sitting down the next two batters in six pitches. Tampa was unable to scratch a run despite having a leadoff base runner, leaving a 0-0 tie heading into the second. Kate DeSimone tried to help herself out by singling in the top of the second but was left stranded. She returned the favor in the bottom half after allowing her first hit of the game but getting out of the inning with no problem. This series defying contest remained scoreless through the third fourth innings, with both sides trying to throw the first punch. Tampa got the board first in the top of the fifth after a McKenna Demartino triple sparked a one out rally. The Spartans loaded the bases for Mariah Galhouse who earned an RBI after getting plunked with a fastball. Unfortunately for the Spartans this was the only run they were able to manufacture as they took a 1-0 lead into the bottom half of the fifth. Kate Desimone again worked around a baserunner but tossed a scoreless inning to keep the momentum on Tampa side. Despite a lead off walk from Kinnah Kreidler, Tampa could not extend the lead in the top of the sixth. Nova Southeastern, who had been held scoreless by DeSimone for 12 innings, finally started gaining offensive momentum. The Sharks finally beat the Tampa starter with a homerun to left field, tying the game at 1-1. DeSimone settled the game down by getting the next two batters out but heading into the final inning of regulation, this was anyone's game. Lauren Fantone led off the top of the seventh with a double before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, a great defensive play at third kept Fantone from scoring and with two outs, the Nova starter picked up a game saving strikeout. In the bottom of the seventh, Nova came up swinging and took the first pitch up the middle for a lead-off single. After a stolen base, a Shark double ended the game in walkoff fashion and gave Nova the series win. 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Kate DeSimone final line - 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 SO, 0 BB, 2 ER

• Lauren Fantone - 2-4

UP NEXT: The Spartans will stay on the road for their upcoming weekend series with Rollins College. This three game road series in Orlando will start on Friday night at 6:00pm before a double header on Saturday.