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DeSimone
DeSimone
April 26, 2025

DeSimone and Galhouse Shine In The Circle, Spartans Fight Back To Win Series

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St. Petersburg, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball program was back in action this afternoon for a doubleheader against Eckerd. After dropping Friday night's series opener, the question of the day was how will the Spartans respond. The answer, with elite pitching in the circle from both Kate DeSimone and Mariah Galhouse. The two combined for 16 shutdown innings (allowing just one earned run) as Tampa got back into the win column. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: #4 Tampa Spartans 38-7 (21-6 SSC), Eckerd 29-18 (15-12 SSC)

Location: Turley Athletic Complex l St. Petersburg, Fla

History: Today's doubleheader marked the 131st and 132nd time these two programs have squared off. With the wins, Tampa improves to 108-24 in the series. 

Game One Final/9 Innings: #4 Tampa 8, Eckerd 2

Game Two Final: #4 Tampa 6, Eckerd 0

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

While the Spartans have not lost many games this season, entering a Saturday doubleheader down 0-1 in a series is not a new challenge. Needing yet another strong start in the circle to begin the comeback, who better to give the ball to then Kate DeSimone. She began her day holding the nations 14th best ERA and will certainly fly up the ranks after her outstanding day. In what ended up being another extra inning classic between these two sides, DeSimone was pivotal in keeping the Spartans alive until the offense could explode. To begin the doubleheader, both teams were sat down in order as DeSimone picked up her first strikeout of the day. It was the second inning that saw the game's first run when Lauren Fantone ripped a double to left field to score Mariah Galhouse. However, right after the Spartan offense put up a run, a defensive lapse allowed Eckerd to manufacture a run of their own to tie the game. Now a 1-1 contest heading into the middle innings, it was time for the pitchers to showcase their dominance. DeSimone allowed just one walk and her Triton counterpart only gave two hits over the next three innings of play as the contest remained deadlocked at 1-1. In the top of the sixth inning, Tampa was able to load the bases with two outs but were unable to capitalize. In the bottom half, Kate DeSimone tossed another 1-2-3 inning and picked up her fourth strikeout in the process. The seventh inning saw a baserunner reach for both sides but this game was destined for extra innings due to the performances in the circle. The Tampa offense had their chances in regulation but were unable to manufacture runs across, they did not make that mistake in the top of the eighth. With the bases loaded and two outs gone, Devin Hammonds scored on a dirt ball read to take the lead. This was the only run the Spartans could push across but the offense was ready to explode. After Eckerd tied the game in the bottom half to send this game to the ninth inning, the Tampa bats called game. After loading the bases once again, Alexa Russo sent a fastball right back up the middle to clear the bases and take a 5-2 lead. Mariah Galhouse delivered the knockout punch after her hard hit single turned into a little league homerun, giving the Spartans an 8-2 lead. Kate DeSimone shut the door in the bottom of the ninth and Tampa was one win away from taking the weekend series. 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

After exploding for six runs in the ninth inning to win game one, the momentum was due to carry into game two. Alexa Russo kicked off a two out rally with a single to center field and after Kinnah Kreidler drew a walk, the Spartans were ready to strike first. Mariah Galhouse gave herself a 1-0 lead with a single up the middle and Lauren Fantone followed that up with an RBI single of her own. Tampa took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the first and Mariah Galhouse did not hold back. She sat the Tritons down in order to begin her day, and what day in the circle she would have. Galhouse tossed a complete game shutout in under 70 pitches, posting an elite 72% strike rate. She gave up three hits but matched that number in strikeouts enroute to her 13th win on the year. The Tampa offense added more run support in the top of the fifth when Devin Hammonds ripped a RBI single and later stole home. Mariah Galhouse stayed hot at the plate driving in another run in the top of the seventh to push the lead to 6-0 Tampa. Galhouse finished the day by sitting the Tritons down in order to not only complete the double header sweep of Eckerd, but lift Tampa to a series win in dominant fashion. 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will wrap up the regular season next week with a home series against Barry University. Game one of the three game set is slated for 6:00pm on Friday, May 2nd.