Spartans Drop Both Games of Double Header Against St. Leo

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team drop both games of the doubleheader against St. Leo to wrap up their first conference series.

Records: #4 Tampa 4-5, (0-3), #21 St. Leo 10-2-1, (3-0)

Location: Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium l St. Leo, FL.

History: Today's double header marked 148th and 149th meetings between these two programs with Tampa holding a narrow series lead (75-74).

Final Game One: #4 Tampa 4,#21 St. Leo 5

Final Game Two: #4 Tampa 1,#21 St. Leo 9

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Holly Steffus got the nod to start the first game of the double header, marking her first career start after three previous relief appearances. Steffus would recieve some early run support as the Spartans managed to bring three runs across the plate in the second inning including RBI from both Jenna Neupaver and Aubrey Zechmann to once again take an early lead. Steffus would hold up her end of the bargain too, holding the Lions to only two hits in the first four innings. However, the Lions were able to load the bases in the fifth to put pressure on Tampa for the first time in the game. Gwen McGinnis would come in mid-inning to try to get out of the jam, but a clutch two out hit tied the game for the Lions. Tampa would once again grab hold of the lead in the seventh, this time through a two out RBI single from Cam Feast. However, again the lead wouldn't last as the Lions would capitalize on an error from McGinnis to take the game into extras. Tampa would struggle to get a good chance in extras, and in the bottom of the ninth St. Leo would score the winning run to walk off their second game in a row.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Steffus - 4.2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 H

• Zechmann - 3-4, RBI (4), SB (4) 

• Feast - 2-3, RBI (2), SB (1), R, BB

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

The Spartans got off to a slow start to the second game of the day, as the Lions got a run in the first inning. This would be the beginning of a tough game for the Spartans as they showed the wear of a pair of tough losses, and were only able to muster four hits over the course of the game with no more than one in an inning. A big four run third inning would break the game open for St. Leo. The lone highlight of the game for Tampa came as Kinnah Kreidler smacked her second solo home run of the series. However, this run would prove insignificant as the Lions would add four more runs over the last two innings to get a run rule win. 

INSIDE THE STATS:  

• Koda Travers - L (0-1): 2.2 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 H

• Kreidler - 1-3, HR (3), RBI (7)

• Abbey Johns - 1-2, 2B (3)

() - Season Totals

UP NEXT: The Spartans return home for the first time since opening weekend to host Lynn for a weekend series starting next Friday, February 27 at 6:00pm.