Spartans Fall Short In Championship Series Opener

Chattanooga, Tenn. – The University of Tampa's Softball program was back in action this afternoon for game one of the Division II National Championship Series. Meeting the Spartans in this best-of-three series is the number one overall seed and defending champs UT-Tyler. Game one will be followed by a double-header for games two and three (If Necessary) on Wednesday, May 28th. With the Spartans two wins away from the programs first national title, they knew they had to just take each game one inning at a time. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: Tampa Spartans (46-11), University of Texas at Tyler Patriots (61-5)

Location: Frost Stadium at Warner Park l Chattanooga, Tenn. 

History: Today's matchup was the first ever meeting between these two elite programs. With the loss, Tampa is now 0-1 in the all-time series. 

Final: Tampa 0, Texas-Tyler 6

HOW IT HAPPENED:

To begin the Division II National Championship Series, both team's stars in the circle dominated early. Mariah Galhouse took the ball for Tampa and looked to attack the UT-Tyler hitters early. After the Spartans went down in order in the top of the first, Galhouse returned the favor going three up, three down in the bottom half. The second and third innings were more of the same with neither side's offense able to beat either starter in the circle. In total, Galhouse and her Patriot counterpart tossed seven straight scoreless frames to start this contest. Unfortunately for the Spartans, It was the Texas-Tyler offense that broke the scoreless tie. After loading the bases in the bottom of the fourth, the Patriots were able to bring home two runs with a double in the gap. This RBI double would have fully cleared the bases but an elite defensive relay from the outfield wall was able to beat the runner on the first to the plate (Kiester to Reynolds to Kreidler). The Spartans attempted to answer back in the top of the fifth but all three hard hit balls ended up in the gloves of UT-Tyler defenders. The Patriots then added insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homerun to make the scoreline 3-0. Needing a response, Lilly Kiester earned the first hit of the game for Tampa in the top of the sixth but was unable to score before the final out of the inning. The Spartans deficit then doubled in the bottom of the sixth after the Patriots put up a three spot. Down 6-0 the Spartans left it all on the line in their last chance at the plate. Abby Sulte and Kinnah Kreidler both reached base in the top of the seventh but it wasn't enough as UT-Tyler was able to close out game one. Despite the loss, the Spartans can take a plethora of positives from this game into the rest of the series as they look to pull off the reverse sweep. 

INSIDE THE STATS:  

• Lilly Kiester - 1-3 

• Kinnah Kreidler - 0-2, Walk

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be back in action for games two and three (If Necessary) in less 24 hours. Game two of the Division II Softball National Championship Series is slated for 3:00pm tomorrow. Fans can stream the doubleheader live on NCAA.com and follow @UTampa_Softball on all social platforms for updates.