Spartans Split Doubleheader With Nova Southeastern To Take Series

TAMPA, Fla. - After registering a comeback victory over Nova Southeastern (30-9, 5-4 SSC) on Friday, The University of Tampa (17-4, 5-1 SSC) softball team benefited from another late rally to take game one by a 3-2 score before falling 7-2 in the final game of the Sunshine State Conference series.

Trailing 2-1 in game one, the Spartans scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the 3-2 victory. Following a lead-off double by Michele Horan and a Samantha Becker sacrifice bunt, Kallan Casey singled in the game-tying run. Casey then stole second, which allowed her to score the go-ahead run on a Jessica Tejas single.

Casey finish with three hits at the plate and two of UT's three RBIs. Heather Van Landingham started for the Spartans and moved to 6-1 with the victory. In six innings, Van Landingham registered four strikeouts. Deanna Henriott recorded her third save of the season after pitching a perfect seventh inning with three strikeouts.

The second game saw a total of 10 totals between the two teams as six by Tampa allowed the Sharks to score three runs in the fifth and four in the sixth. Of the seven Nova runs, just one was earned as the UT defense committed four errors in the fifth and sixth innings.

Henriott pitched for Tampa as she recorded the complete game. Her record is now 10-3 on the year as she had five strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Tampa return to the diamond of Wednesday as it hosts Hillsdale (Mich.) College. Game time is 6 p.m., at the UT Softball Field. Tampa will offer live stats and a free webcast through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores, which is a free service that sends text message alerts to fans at the conclusion of UT athletic events.