Spartans Split St. Patrick's Day Double Header with Hillsdale

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team splits the final non conference double header of the season against the Chargers.

Records: Tampa 16-6, (3-3), Hillsdale 10-9

Location: Naimoli Family Stadium l Tampa, FL.

History: Today's double header marked the 8th and 9th meetings between these two programs with Tampa holding a strong 8-2 record.

Final Game One: Tampa 6, Hillsdale 0

Final Game Two: Tampa 0, Hillsdale 1

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

The Spartans continued their season-long trend of striking early in games as Kinnah Kreidler would immediately come through with a two-run triple to open the scoring. Tampa would add on at the next opportunity, by taking advantage of a crafty double steal that allowed Hannah Yetter to score the third run of the game. The Spartans would return to this tactic in the fourth inning, and they would score another run as a result of this. Tampa's ace, Gwen McGinnis, returned to the circle to start game one of the double dip after not seeing any action in the most recent Spartan double header against Caldwell. McGinnis would deliver a performance that would trick anyone into thinking she missed no time at all. McGinnis would build on her recent great form by facing only 22 hitters en route to delivering her seventh consecutive scoreless outing and delivering her third complete game shutout of the season in the process.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• McGinnis - W (9-2): 7.0 IP, 0  R, 3 H, 3 SO; improved ERA to 0.71

• Kreidler - 2-3, 2 RBI (17), 3B (1), BB

• Yetter - 3-3, 2 R, 2B (2), SB (2)

• Kenzie Reynolds - 2-2, RBI (3), R

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

The second game of the double dip was a pitchers duel in its purest form. Koda Travers got the start for the Spartans, and pitched very well by retiring the first two hitters in each inning that she pitched. However, the Chargers would find a two-out baserunner in each of the first three innings of the game. In the third inning, the Chargers would find the breakthrough hit they needed to break the ice through a double to right center. Holly Steffus would take the ball for the final three innings of the game, and would only allow one runner to reach second base during her time in the circle. The Spartan offense however, would cool off between games on a rather cool day in the Sunshine State. Over the seven innings in game two, the Spartans would only muster two hits while not having a runner reach second base safely for the duration of the game.

INSIDE THE STATS: