Softball Drops Super Regional Opener To AUM

Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa Softball program was back in action tonight as they kicked off the NCAA South Region Super Regionals. This is the first time since 2023 that the Spartans have clinched a berth to the supers and are now two wins away from reaching the Division II NCAA Softball World Series for the first time in program history. Standing in Tampa's way is Auburn University at Montgomery out of the Gulf South Conference. The Warhawks earned their spot in the supers by going perfect in their first round regional tournament, defeating West Florida and hosts Saint Leo twice. The Spartans earned the right to host the Super Regional by securing the No. 1 overall seed in the region with their excellent regular season. With both teams combining for five pitchers with a sub 1.70 ERA, whichever team could produce a big inning was going to find themsleves on top. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: Tampa Spartans 42-10, Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks 41-11

NCAA Tournament Path: Tampa (3-1) - Spring Hill, Nova Southeastern, Barry

NCAA Tournament Path: Auburn-Montgomery (3-0) - West Florida, Saint Leo 2x

Location: Namoli Family Stadium l Tampa, Fla

History: This evening's matchup was the fourth time these two programs have matched up. With the loss, the Spartans have allowed the Warhawks to tie the all-time series 2-2. 

Final: Tampa 0, Alabama-Montgomery 5

HOW IT HAPPENED:

With both teams combining for over 80 wins this season, everyone knew that this weekend was going to be full of high level softball. These two elite programs also have a combined five pitchers with an ERA under 1.70 on the year so offense was going to be a premium all series. In the top of the first, Gwen McGinnis downed the Warhawks in order for a quick 8 pitch inning. In their first crack at the plate, the Spartans were able to earn base hits from Lauren Fantone and Alexa Russo but great defensive plays from the Warhawks kept this contest scoreless after one. In her second inning in the circle, McGinnis once again produced an efficient 1-2-3 inning. Trying to scratch the game's first run, Kinnah Kriedler and Hannah Yetter both reached base on hard hit balls that fell for hits. However, the Warhawks again played tight defense to keep the Spartans from scoring and hold the scoreline at 0-0. After Tampa failed to bring in their four baserunners through the first two innings, Alabama-Montgomery exploded in the top of the third. Their lineup combined for seven base runners on six hits to take a 5-0 lead to begin the middle innings. Unfortunately for Tampa, they were unable to put up a run in response after all three batters hit balls right at Alabama-Montgomery defenders. Needing a shutdown inning, the Spartans turned to Mariah Galhouse in the circle. The Senior did allow a hit but kept the Warhawks from growing their lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Abby Sulte singled to left field but was left stranded as the Spartans still trailed by five. The fifth inning saw both teams fail to reach base as Mariah Galhouse and her Warhawk counterpart sat down their opponents in order. The Warhawks attempted to add more runs in the top of the sixth after they led off the inning with three straight baserunners but Galhouse and the Spartans defense battled to hold the deficit at 5-0. The Spartans were unable to take advantage of the momentum gained from a big stand on defense as they went down in order at the plate in the bottom of the sixth. Galhouse kept the Warhawks at bay in the top of the seventh to give the Spartans one last chance to catch the five runs needed. While Kinnah Kreidler and Hannah Yetter both reached base in the bottom of the seventh, Tampa was unable to put a run across giving AUM the game one win. Tampa now enters tomorrow's doubleheader needing to win both games in order to advance out of the NCAA Super Regionals. 

INSIDE THE STATS:  

• Kinnah Kreidler - 1-2, Walk

• Hannah Yetter - 1-2, Walk

UP NEXT: These two teams will meet back on the diamond tomorrorw at 3:00pm. With the Spartans dropping game one of the series they have put themselves in a must win situation. Should Tampa win and force a third game, it will be played shortly after the conclusion of game two with a trip to the world series on the line.