Late Offense Carries Spartans in Series Opener Against the Mocs

LAKELAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa Softball Program welcomed the early start to their SSC series this week by securing a run rule victory against the Mocs of Florida Southern.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: Tampa 22-7 (9-4), Florida Southern 7-21 (1-11)

Location: Chris Bellotto Field l Lakeland, FL. 

History: Today's meeting was the 142nd time these two programs shared the field with Tampa trailing the all-time series (65-77) despite today marking their 18th straight victory over the Mocs.

Final: Tampa 11, Florida Southern 2

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Tampa started off the series with a bang, as Cam Feast unleashed her first home run of the season in the first inning which gave the Spartans an early 2-0 lead. However, the Mocs were able to get to battle their way back into the game and eventually tie the game 2-2 against Gwen McGinnis. Tampa would grab their lead straight back in the fifth as Jenna Neupaver would foul off six pitches before delivering the go-ahead, RBI single. From here, the Spartan bats would not cool off. They would add a second run in the fifth before adding a staggering seven runs in the sixth that was capped off by a bases clearing, three run double off the bat of Olivia Feldman to put the Spartans ahead 11-2. Thanks to the offensive outburst, McGinnis would only need to record three more outs to get the win, and she would accomplish that without allowing any further runs.

INSIDE THE STATS:  

• McGinnis - W (14-3): 6.0 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 SO, 1 BB  

• Feast - 3-3, HR (1), 3 RBI (11), 2B (3), 2 R, BB

• Feldman - 1-2, 3 RBI (3), 2B (2)

• Neupaver - 2-4, 2 RBI (15), 2 R 

() - Season total

UP NEXT: The Spartans and Mocs finish their series with a doubleheader tomorrow, April 3 starting at 4:00pm.