Spartans Rout Panthers in Home Opener

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 2 University of Tampa Spartans (1-0) rode a seven-run fourth inning to an 11-1 victory over Sunshine State Conference opponent Florida Tech (2-1) in UT's season opener on Tuesday.

After two scoreless innings to open the contest, the Spartans took advantage of three Panther errors in the third. Following a leadoff single by Correy Figueroa, senior Jesus Barroso stroked a triple off Florida Tech's Jake Koch (0-1). With the throw sailing into the Tampa dugout, Barroso took home. Designated hitter Mike Schwartz would also come around to score in the inning to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead.

In the following frame, Tampa starter Josh Bowman (1-0) allowed a solo home run to Ryan McChesney to bring the game within two before a huge Tampa fourth put the game away.

Sophomore Jared Simon, who finished the game 4-4, led off the inning with a single. With one out, junior transfer Tyler Cox walked before Figueroa doubled in both runners. With a Schwartz single and a double from senior catcher Jose Jimenez, the Spartans stretched the lead to 7-1. After Steven Broschofsky walked, third baseman Devin Gonzalez singled to score Jimenez before, with two runners on, Simon's second at-bat of the inning resulted in a run-scoring single to make it 10-1.

In the sixth, Broschofsky also belted a home run to close out the game's scoring.

Tampa received three scoreless innings from junior Thomas Meagher, one from Danny Keefe, and one from Alex Koronis. Bowman finished the contest with six strikeouts in four innings of work to earn the win.

The Spartans will take the field again on Sunday at home against Georgia College and State University at 2:00 pm.