Cox, Spartans Walk Off Against Warner

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - A Tyler Cox walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning propelled the No. 20 University of Tampa baseball team past Warner University 4-3 on Tuesday night. With the win, the Spartans improve to 6-3 on the year, while the Royals drop to 2-7.

After several chances, the Spartans broke through in the sixth after Brad Roberts singled with one out in the inning. Mike Schwartz was hit by a pitch and Mike Blanke walked before Larry Walicki singled to right field to drive in Roberts. Junior Trace Venegas followed with an RBI single to plate two and put Tampa up 3-1.

Tom Meagher tossed four innings of one-hit ball while tying a career high in strikeouts with seven and was in line for the victory until the eighth. Meagher relieved Daniel Foltz, who threw three innings allowing one earned run, a solo shot in the top of the second. Foltz also racked up four strikeouts on the day. The Spartans were ahead 3-1 in the eighth when the Royals managed two runs to knot the score at three.

With extra innings looming, Tyler Cox took the first pitch he saw in the ninth over the center field wall to seal the win for Tampa.

The Spartans will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. this weekend to square off against Stillman College in a four-game series. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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