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2025 Graduating Class
2025 Graduating Class
May 3, 2025

Spartans Celebrate Senior Day, Claim Fourth Straight SSC Title

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Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa Softball program was back on the diamond this afternoon for the final games against Barry University and the regular season. The Spartans were not just playing to win a series today, they were playing for their Senior class of 2025 on their special day. To add another reason why today's doubleheader was important to Tampa, a win today locks up the third straight outright Sunshine State Conference Championship. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: #5 Tampa Spartans 40-8 (23-7 SSC), Barry Buccaneers 35-17 (20-10 SSC)

Location: Namoli Family Stadium l Tampa, Fla

History: Today's double header marks the 127th and 128th meeting all-time between these two programs. With the split, Tampa is still behind in the all time series with 52 wins and 76 loses. 

Game One Final: #5 Tampa 3, Barry 4

Game Two Final: #5 Tampa 3, Barry 1

 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Even with a full day of Senior celebration's, there was still softball to be played. In the top of the first inning with their season on the line, Barry struck first. After a leadoff single turned into a runner on second after a wild pitch, the Buccaneers roped a double in the gap to drive in the game's first run. The Spartan defense was able to limit the damage but they found themselves trailing after the top of the first. Trying to put up a response, Alexa Russo reached on a single up the middle but was unable to score before the first inning came to a close. In the top of the second, Barry continued to hit the ball hard and earned back to back hits to start the inning. Despite the Tampa defense putting away two quick outs, both of these base runners scored on a double to left and Barry now led 3-0. The lead then grew to four when the next batter tripled to drive in a run before Tampa was able to escape the inning. The Spartans went down in order to send the game to the third inning, down 4-0. To begin the third inning, the Spartans turned to Gwen McGinnis in the circle to start collecting outs and keep the scoreline manageable. Fresh off a complete game shutout, she started her outing today by tossing a 1-2-3 third inning before repeating her dominance in the fourth to sit down 6 straight Barry hitters. During the middle innings, the Spartans were able to cut the lead in half after a Lilly Keister triple started a rally that saw Alexa Russo drive in two runs on a double to the right field wall. After McGinnis shut down the Buccaneers again in the top of the fifth, the Spartans went right back to work. Devin Hammods led off the bottom half of the inning with a walk before advancing to second on a Kiester sacrifice bunt. Hammonds was then able to score when Lauren Fantone put a ball in play that got past the Barry second baseman. While the Spartans once again cut into the lead, Barry still led 4-3 as this contest moved into the sixth inning. Gwen McGinnis allowed a base hit but tossed her fourth scoreless inning (11th in a row on the weekend) to keep Tampa just one swing away. In the bottom of the sixth, the Spartans found a few barrels but the defense of Barry was not giving up any bases. McGinnis did allow a base hit in the top of the seventh but continued her rain of zero's, keeping Tampa within a run for their last chance at the plate. Unfortunately for Tampa, they went three up three down in the bottom of the seventh and Barry escaped with a 4-3 win to tie the series. 

INSIDE THE STATS:  

  • Gale McGinnis Final Line - 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 0 ER

  • Alexa Russo - 2-3, 2 RBI

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

For the rubber match between these two elite teams, who better than Mariah Galhouse to get the start in the circle for the Spartans. The Senior has had one of the best careers in Tampa Softball history and entered today's game with a chance to put a stamp on her envelope to the Spartan Hall of Fame. To begin the final regular start of her career, she induced a weak fly ball to right field before getting two more quick outs to toss a 1-2-3 first inning. In the bottom half, Lilly Kiester singled on an infield hit to put the first Spartans batter on base. However, she was unable to advance before the Buccaneers starter got the next three Spartans to fly out. The second opportunity she got in the circle, Galhouse matched her first inning by downing the Buccaneers in order. At the plate, Mariah Galhouse led off the bottom of the second with an infield hit for another Tampa baserunner. While Galhouse was able to advance to second on an Abby Sulte sacrifice bunt, she was stranded in scoring position leaving this contest scoreless through two. The top of the third was once again a quick 1-2-3 inning as Galhouse sent the Buccaneers back to the dugout in order once again. For the third straight inning, the leadoff batter for Tampa reached base after Kate DeSimone singled to right field. The Spartans then earned their second base runner of the inning when Kenzie Reynolds layed down a perfect bunt. With runners on first and second, Lilly Kiester advanced both of them with a sacrifice bunt and Tampa was threatening with Lauren Fantone at the plate. She took the first pitch she saw and laced it to right field for a two RBI single. These two runs were it for the Spartans in the bottom of the third, but who better than Mariah Galhouse to protect a 2-0 lead. Galhouse continued to earn quick outs and while she dealt with her first Barry baserunner, she tossed her fourth shutout inning of the game. Trying to keep the offensive momentum rolling, Abby Sulte turned on a fastball and sent it to the left field wall for a leadoff double. The Spartans then put three more balls in play but were unable to find open spaces in the field and the lead remained 2-0 after four. In the top of the fifth, Galhouse sent the Buccaneers back to the dugout in order for her fourth 1-2-3 inning of the day. For the Spartans in the fifth, Seniors Lilly Kiester and Alexa Russo both reached base to bring Mariah Galhouse to the plate with two outs and a chance to extend the lead. The first pitch she saw got away from the catcher and Kiester scored on the dirt ball read. Galhouse was unable to reach base but her presence in the box helped the Spartans grow the lead to 3-0 with six outs to get. In the top of the sixth, Barry was finally able to earn multiple baserunners in a row and loaded the bases with nobody out. Needing a big time pitch, the Spartans turned to Gwen McGinnis for her third outing of the weekend. She got the first batter she faced with the bases juiced to pop out to Kinnah Kreidler but the next batter was able to manufacture the first Buccaneer run of the game. Not wanting to give barry any more momentum, McGinnis settled in and got the next two batters to weakly fly out to Kiester in center field. The Spartans were unable to add insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth but handed the game off to Gwen McGinnis to finish the job. The Senior induced a weak fly ball before striking out the next batter and Tampa was one out away. McGinnis slammed the door shut on the Buccaneers to post her 14th shutout inning of the weekend and win the series. By taking two out of three from Barry, Tampa locks up sole ownership of the SSC Softball Trophy for the fourth straight year. 

 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

UP NEXT: This weekend's series with Barry concluded the 2025 regular season for the Spartans. The Spartans earned sole control of the 2025 SSC Title and will host the first round of the NCAA Tournament next week. Please check @UTampa_Softball on all social medias and TampaSpartans.com for the official NCAA Division II Softball schedule.