Fletcher Throws Four Scorless in Relief to Give No. 1 Spartans Series Opening Win

MELBOURNE, FL. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans take the series opener against Florida Tech.

Final: #1 Tampa 8, Florida Tech 4

Records: #1 Tampa (33-6, 17-2 SSC), Florida Tech (23-19, 13-12 SSC)

Location: Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field | Melbourne, FL.  

All-Time Series: This was the 168^th meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 133-35 against the Panthers. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Jhoander Irigoyen led off the inning with an infield single to the Panthers' third baseman. He advanced to second on a passed ball and then came around to score on an Edgardo Villegas double to left center. Kevin Karstetter followed with a double down the right field line to bring home Villegas. After Villegas advanced to third on a ground out, Maddox King doubled to left field to bring home Karstetter to cut the Spartans' deficit to one. End 2 | 4-3 Florida Tech
• J.D. Urso led off the inning with a double to left center and then eventually stole third base. After a Brayden Woodburn walk to set the Spartans up in business with first and third and nobody out, Irigoyen grounded out the third to bring home Urso. End 3 | 4-4 Tie
• With one out, Woodburn turned around a pitch to single back up the middle. Irigoyen followed with a double to left field to Spartans second and third with one out. Villegas followed with a single to center to bring home Woodburn. Karstetter followed with a groundout to first base to bring home Irigoyen. End 5 | 6-4 Tampa
• With two outs, Nico Saladino singled to right field. He then advanced all the way to third on a pickoff attempt. Later in the inning, he stole home. End 6 | 7-4 Tampa
• With one out, Irigoyen reached first on an error. A.J. Graham came in to pinch run for him. Graham then stole second and came around to score on a Villegas single. End 9 | 8-4 Tampa

AT THE PLATE: 

• Villegas: 3-4, BB, R, & 3 RBI's
• Russo: 2-4 & BB
• Urso: 2-4, BB, 2 SB's, & R
• Irigoyen: 2-5, R, & RBI
  

ON THE MOUND: 

• C.J. Williams started on the mound. He threw 5 innings, striking out 3 while giving up 2 earned runs. Williams received the win and improved to 9-2 on the season.
• Jacob Fletcher came in relief for Williams. He threw 4 scoreless innings while striking out 4. Fletcher picked up his 4^th save of the season.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will be back tomorrow, April 19^th, as they take on a doubleheader to wrap up their series against Florida Tech. Game one will start at 1:00 PM. Game two will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.