No. 5 Spartans Boat Right into Tampa Regional Final
The No. 5 University of Tampa (33-7) softball team split a pair
of games at the NCAA South Regional, dropping the premier game to
No. 16 Valdosta State University (42-13) by a 5-2 score before
picking up a 3-0 win over Delta State (31-31) on Saturday afternoon
at Naimoli Family Field.
Julia Morrow started against Valdosta State and suffered her fourth
loss of the season. She tossed 5.1 innings with ten strikeouts
while allowing four runs on three hits.
Tampa took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an RBI
double by Kayleen Boatwright that plated Jenna Halper.
Valdosta State answered in the bottom of the inning with a solo
homerun by Courtney Albritton to tie the game at 1-1.
The Blazers took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a
fielder's choice bunt.
The Spartans evened the game in the top of the sixth at 2-2 as
Lindsay Dring came in to score off a wild pitch by Blazers starter
Brianna Hancock.
Valdosta State answered in the bottom of the inning with three
insurance runs. Morgan Butler delivered an RBI double as Albritton
notched a two RBI single to give the Blazers a 5-2 lead.
Tampa was unable to mount a comeback in the seventh and Valdosta
State hung on for the victory.
Kayla Cox took the circle in game two against Delta State and
tossed 7.0 shutout innings with seven strikeouts. She allowed two
hits to earn her 19th victory of the year.
Boatwright led off the second game with a double followed by a
single by Kandi Kuder. Meagan Burke put Tampa on the board with two
RBI double to plate Boatwright and Kuder giving the Spartans a 2-0
advantage.
UT scored again in the top of the second on an RBI single by
Boatwright to score Alyssa Colletti and take a 3-0 lead.
Both teams were held scoreless for the final five innings as the
Spartans held on for the victory.
Tampa will return to play at the NCAA South Regional on Sunday
against Valdosta State at 1 p.m., with the winning team advancing
to the NCAA Super Regional. UT will need a pair of wins, as VSU
needs just one win to capture the regional. A link to the live
stats and video webcast may be found at www.tampaspartans.com on
the softball schedule page.
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events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.
Tampa vs.
Valdosta State Box Score
Tampa vs.
Delta State Box Score
Click
here for the official NCAA South Regional Web page