Purple Knights Pressure Not Enough as Spartans Prevail

TAMPA, Fla. – Visiting University of Bridgeport gave the No. 10 University of Tampa a late scare before the Spartans closed the door on the Purple Knights.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 10 University of Tampa Spartans 5, University of Bridgeport Purple Knights 4

Records: Tampa (14-7), Bridgeport (4-4-1)

Location: UT Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: The Spartans now hold a 6-0 lead in the all-time series. This season's meeting marks the fifth straight year where the NCAA Division II institutions have met.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A double by Spartan leadoff hitter Jose Cadenas led to the game's first run as the centerfielder advanced to third on a Mikey Navarrete single and scored on a double play. || Bottom 1 || UT 1-0
• Luke Benoit reached on a double and would score on an RBI single by Cadenas. J.D. Urso, who reached via a walk, would come around and score on a wild pitch while Cadenas would plate the third run of the inning on a throwing error by Bridgeport. || Bottom 2 || UT 4-0
• Cadenas reached base on a walk leading off the Spartans half of the frame, and proceeded to steal second and third base. Navarrete would drive him home on a sacrifice fly. || Bottom 4 || UT 5-0
• Bridgeport opened the inning with a walk and an RBI single, and crossed their second run of the frame on a Spartan wild pitch. || Top 7 || UT 5-2
• The Purple Knights continued their comeback, creating an opportunity with a walk and a pair of hit batsmen, with the latter driving in a run with the bases loaded An infield single allowed Bridgeport to score its second run of the inning. || Top 8 || UT 5-4
• What would ultimately go down as a scoreless inning, the Purple Knights stretched the Spartans to the brink as they loaded the bases after beginning the inning with a flyout and a strikeout. Bridgeport proceeded to fill the bases following a single and a pair of walks. Bo Weiss then secured the UT victory with a game-ending strikeout. || Top 9 || UT 5-4

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Benoit was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
• The top two hitters of Cadenas and Navarrete each collected two hits and an RBI as Cadenas also drew a walk and scored a run.
• Drew Ehrhard reached base twice with a pair of walks.
• Nik Constantakos turned in his second consecutive solid outing with 5.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts while allowing just one hit. The junior improved to 2-1 on the season.
• Weiss collected his second save of the season in 1.1 innings of work. Allowing two hits and a pair of walks, he also struck out two Purple Knights.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• Tampa picked up its third consecutive victory.
• The Spartans previously lost three consecutive games that were decided by one run.
• Constantakos pitched his second straight quality outing, and has now thrown 9.1 innings while allowing just one run and four hits in his last two games.
• Benoit matched a career-high with three hits and is 6-for-7 at the plate in the last two Monday games.

UP NEXT:

Tampa will play its fifth game in four days as it hosts Northwood University (Mich.) on Tuesday at 6 p.m., at the UT Baseball Field.

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