Spartans Take Series From #16 Saint Leo with Doubleheader Split

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa softball team responded to a 2-0 loss in game one with a 5-3 victory in the rubber game of the series with #16 Saint Leo University. UT improves to 28-8 on the year and 11-4 in the Sunshine State Conference while SLU is now 28-12 and 9-6 in league play.

In game one, the Lions struck for a run in the third and tacked on another in the top of the seventh as pitcher Ashley Urbanik collected the shutout victory to lead Saint Leo. The only offense UT had was a first inning single by Michele Horan.

Heather VanLandingham enjoyed a solid effort for Tampa as she allowed just four hits in seven innings. She also struck out 10 while walking just one.

The Spartans capitalized on three Saint Leo errors in game two as all five UT runs were unearned. Tampa scored two in the fourth and three in the fifth behind two RBI efforts by both Jessica Tejas and Jessica Keefe. Krystal Crooks also drove in a run for UT.

After setting the UT single game strikeout record with 16 last night, freshman Deanna Henriott improved her record to 19-5 as she went the distance for the Spartans. In seven innings, she struck out nine while giving up just five hits.

Tampa is back in action on Friday as it hosts Rollins College in a SSC showdown at 7 p.m.