Pitching Leads Barry To Doubleheader Sweep Of Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (25-10, 12-6 SSC) softball team suffered a pair of doubleheader losses at the hands of Barry University (29-26, 13-7 SSC) in a critical Sunshine State Conference matchup. The Buccaneers completed the series sweep with a 4-1 and 5-1 victory at the UT Softball Field.

The bats did not heat up until the fourth inning of game one as neither team registered a base hit. The Bucs put a pair of two-out runs on the board in the fourth and added two more in the fifth to seal the victory.

Ashley Arcuri and Kallan Casey accounted for the lone hits for UT in game one as Casey also drove in a run in the fourth inning. Heather Van Landingham (8-3) started and recorded four strikeouts while going the distance. Brianna Smith (10-7) received the win for the Bucs as Amber Jack was credited with the save.

In game two, Barry took a 1-0 lead as it crossed a run in the second and added another in the fourth before a big three-run fifth to put the game out of reach. UT scored its lone run on an RBI single by Becky Vyzas in the sixth inning.

Vyzas collected a pair of hits as Arcuri and Samantha Becker each added a hit. Deanna Henriott (16-8) was UT's starting pitcher and lasted five innings before giving way to VanLandingham for the final two innings.

The Spartans close out the regular season on Friday as it welcomes SSC rival Florida Southern to the UT softball Complex. The three game set begins at 7 p.m. and will conclude with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.

Live stats are available 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.