Tampa Notches A Pair Of Shutouts In First Day At Clermont

CLERMONT, Fla. - The University of Tampa (10-2) softball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a pair of victories at a neutral site. UT defeated Grand Valley State (6-4) by a 1-0 score, then handed St. Joseph's, Ind., (4-3) a 10-0 loss in five innings. The games were played at the National Training Center in Clermont.

In the first game, Tampa got all it needed in the first inning when senior second baseman Ashley Arcuri scored on a wild pitched. Arcuri reached via a lead-off walk, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Michele Horan. A successful bunt by Samantha Becker moved the winning run to third base, allowing UT to capitalize on the wild pitch.

Deanna Henriott turned in another stellar performance as the sophomore pitcher came within one strikeout of her own school record as she fanned 17 Lakers. The St. Petersburg native allowed just two hits while recording the complete game shutout to move to 5-2 on the season.

The Spartan bats were alive in the second game as a six run second inning helped UT to the quick victory. Tampa added another in the third and three in the fourth to allow the eight-run rule to come into effect.

Jessica Keefe and Becky Vyzas both hit home runs for the Spartans as Vyzas was a perfect 3-3 with three runs and three RBI's. Keefe and Rachel Browning each drove in two runs as Horan had a pair of hits.

Heather Van Landingham improved to 3-0 on the season as she finished the complete game shutout with nine strikeouts. She allowed just three hits in the game.

Tampa returns to action on Saturday in Clermont, where it will meet Ohio Valley and West Virginia Wesleyan. Game times are 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.