Spartans Fall to Warhawks in South Regional Opener

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The University of Tampa Softball Program opens the NCAA South Regional in Saint Leo in rough fashion as the AUM Warhawks knock the Spartans into the elimination bracket.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: #5 Tampa 34-13, #4 AUM 43-11

Location: Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium | Saint Leo, Fla.

History: Today's meeting was only the 7th meeting between the Warhawks and Spartans, with the Spartans leading the all-time series 4-3.

Final: #5 Tampa 1, #4 AUM 11

HOW IT HAPPENED:

This matchup, a rematch of last year's South Super Regional, started out as a very nip and tug affair with early signs pointing towards a low scoring battle. However, the Warhawks would strike first in the third inning in a big way. They would use small ball to great effect before bashing a three run home run off Spartan ace Gwen McGinnis to take a 6-0 lead. Despite trailing, Tampa would get their chances in the next two innings with multiple base runners reaching in each. However, Tampa was only able to push across the one run during these two innings off an RBI double from Jenna Neupaver. AUM would bring the big bats back out in the fifth with the run rule in mind and in sight. The Warhawks would achieve the run rule victory in the fifth and walk off the Spartans with a grand slam to bring their total to 11.

INSIDE THE STATS:  

• McGinnis - L (24-5): 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 4 SO, 0 BB 

• Neupaver - 1-3, RBI (19), 2B (4)

• Karlee Salisbury - 1-1, R

() - Season total

UP NEXT: The Spartans return to action in Saint Leo with their season on the line as they take on #8 Spring Hill in an elimination game tomorrow, May 15, at 3:00pm.