Wiedenbauer Leads Tampa in Mid-Week Battle

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The #1 University of Tampa (10-2) took a non-conference game from the Florida Tech Panthers (7-3) with a score of 3-1.

The Spartans found themselves in a pitching dual with the Panthers. John Wiedenbauer of Tampa and Jake Koch of Florida Tech were almost flawless for the first three innings, with only two hits allowed, both off the bats of Spartan hitters.

In the fourth, Tampa drew first blood. Jose Jimenez led the inning off with a double of the base of the wall in right field. Roberto Mena laid down a nice sacrifice bunt down the first base line, advancing Jimenez to third. Craig Corrado lifted the ball to deep centerfield, allowing Jimenez to tag and score the games first run.

Meanwhile, Wiedenbauer ended his almost perfect night, after he pitched his scheduled five innings. The freshman didn't give up a hit and left the game with the opportunity to pick up his first win of the season.

Tampa added another run in the fifth. Ryan Williams doubled down the left field line and was driven in on Junior Mejia's single to right field.

The Spartans led 2-0 heading into the sixth but with Wiedenbauer no longer on the mound, The Panthers took advantage. Anthony Perez took the hill and hit the first batter, JD Davidson, with his first pitch. Nick Brennon then doubled down the left field line. Perez hit a second batter and walked in a run before getting pulled in favor of Scott Chapman. With the bases loaded, Champman induced a ground ball to first, Nolan Brannon tagged the bag then made a perfect throw to the plate where Jimenez was waiting to make the tag. The double play killed Tech's momentum and left the Spartans with a 2-1 edge.

Mejia picked up his second RBI of the evening in the seventh, when he was called upon by Coach Urso to bunt, with Brannon on third.

After clutch pitching from Chapman, Wiedenbauer (1-0) picked up his first win of his college career. Jonathan Holt tossed a perfect eighth and ninth to pick up his fifth save of the season.

Tampa travels to Georgia this weekend to face Valdosta State in a three game series beginning Saturday with a double header at 1:00 pm.