Spartans Claim Outright Conference Title
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The University of Tampa (28-11, 16-8 SSC) softball team swept a pair of games to Lynn University (20-25 10-14 SSC) at Lynn Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. Coach Leslie Kanter and the Spartans clinch a second consecutive Sunshine State Conference title and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA South Regional Tournament.
Julia Morrow started game one for the Spartans and earned her 24th win of the season. The senior recorded eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched while allowing no unearned runs on four hits. Her sixth strikeout of the game broke the UT single season record of 332 set in 2013 by Kayla Cox.
Kandi Kuder gave Tampa a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as the senior leadoff the game with her first career homerun.
Lynn evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth on a UT fielding error.
The Spartans reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth on a clutch two out RBI double by Lindsay Dring to plate Sahrina Cortes and Meagan Burke to take a 3-1 advantage.
Kuder extended the UT lead in the seventh to 4-1 on an RBI single that brought around pinch runner Meagan Brislin.
Lynn was unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning as Tampa claimed the victory.
Morrow started game two for the Spartans and claimed her 25th victory of the season. She tossed 7.0 innings with three strikeouts while allowing one run on four hits.
UT took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Dring singled home Kuder.
Taylor Collins blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fifth over the left field fence. The homerun was the first of her career as Kelsey Humphrey came around to score giving the Spartans a 3-0 advantage. Cortes and Setree added RBI base hits in the inning giving UT a 5-0 lead.
Lynn cut the deficit to 5-1 as Leanne Wrigh homered to left in the bottom of the inning.
Tampa reclaimed a five run lead scoring on a Lynn fielding error taking a 6-1 advantage.
The Spartans held off a comeback from the Fighting Knights to preserve the victory and sweep the doubleheader.
Tampa will now await word on future play in the NCAA South Regional. For more information on UT softball, visit www.tampaspartans.com.
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