No. 7 Tampa Splits a Pair of Games Against Florida Tech
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 7 University of Tampa (13-3, 2-1 SSC) softball team split a pair of games against Florida Tech (10-12, 1-2 SSC) in a double-header at Vince Naimoli Field on Saturday.
Junior Kayla Cox started game one and improved her record to 10-1 on the season. She tossed a complete 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts and allowing one earned run on one hit. Cox had not allowed a run in 71.0 consecutive innings. The record ranks second in Spartan history behind her previous mark of 83.2 consecutive innings without an earned run.
Tampa took an early lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two out RBI base hit by Taylor Collins. Meagan Burke came around to score the first run of the game. Pinch hitter Erika Shick followed with an RBI base hit that scored pinch runner Jenna Halper to give the Spartans a 2-0 advantage.
The Panthers answered in the top of the fifth with a run. Ashley Montion scored on a two out RBI base hit by Amanda Bueno to cut the Tampa lead to 2-1, which would be the eventual final score.
Julia Morrow started the second game where she went 7.0 innings with nine strikeouts and allowing two runs on five hits. She suffered her second loss of the year and now holds an overall record of 3-2.
The Spartans opened the scoring in the bottom of the second on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Kandi Kuder. Meagan Brislin scored after pinch running for Shick who reached on a fielding error to give Tampa a 1-0 lead.
Florida Tech plated a run in the top of the fourth as a result of a fielding error by the Spartans to tie the game.
The Panthers took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI bunt single by Kara Dickinson that scored Kelsey Donahue, which would be the eventual final score.
UT will return to action Wednesday afternoon for a double-header against Fort Hays State at Vince Naimoli Field with the first game scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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