Spartans Pick up Comeback Victory to Begin Conference Series with Lynn

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa softball team avoided extra innings as it broke a 6-6 tie with a run in the bottom of the seventh to take a 7-6 win over visiting Lynn University. UT moves to 24-7 on the year and 7-3 in Sunshine State Conference play while the Fighting Knights fall to 16-25 and 3-10 in league action.

The Spartans started strong, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Lynn added a run in the top of the second and had a big five run fifth to take a 6-2 lead.

Tampa had a big fifth of its own as it answered with four runs to tie the game at 6-6. Samantha Becker capped off the inning with a two run double. Brandi Blout also added an RBI single.

Ashley Arcuri and Cassie Barnes each collected three hits for UT while Becker and Krystal Crooks each had two RBI's. Crooks accounted for both of the first inning runs as she notched a two-run homer that cleared the leftfield fence.

With Crooks on second base following a walk and Jessica Tejas sacrifice bunt, Cassie Barnes drove in the game-winning run with a single to right-center in the bottom of the seventh.

Heather VanLandingham entered in the third inning for Tampa and picked up the win in relief. She improved her record to 8-2 as they threw a scoreless 3.2 innings for the Spartans. She allowed just three hits while striking out four and walking none.

The teams will square off again in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader to conclude the series. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m., at the UT Softball Complex.