TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa softball team enters the final stretch of the season, as we will honor the senior class in between Saturday afternoon’s double-header. 

The Matchup: University of Tampa Spartans (25-9, 15-6 SSC) vs. Barry University Buccaneers (13-28, 6-12 SSC) 

Date/Time: Friday, April 5 – 6 p.m. || Saturday, April 6 – 1 p.m. / 3 p.m. (DH)

Location: Naimoli Family Softball Field || Tampa, Fla.

Series History: The Spartans trail in the series, 72-39; In the last six games at Naimoli, Tampa’s been victorious in four contests.

Last Time Out: Tampa played a double-header last Friday against Embry-Riddle, with a single game on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans swept the series in Daytona Beach, totaling 19 runs in three games. Makaleigh Dooley secured the winning decision in all three games, while Maddie Farrell continued her five-game hitting streak in the 4-1 victory. In the three game series, the Spartans worked 17 walks, 10 extra-base hits, and logged at least eight hits in each game. 

About the Spartans: Tampa’s riding a 15-game winning streak dating back to March 9, when the Spartans upset then-ranked No. 10 Florida Tech. UT’s been led by Dooley who has thrown 18 complete games in 22 starts, while racking up a 19-5 record. The senior right-hander leads the SSC in wins and strikeouts, 149 K’s in 157 innings pitched, while she ranks second in the conference with 12 walks allowed. Farrell remains one of the Spartans hottest hitters, as she’s logged at least one base-knock in 13 of the last 16 games and leads the team with 29 hits. Freshman shortstop, Stephanie Balmer, has registered a hit in seven of the last eight games. Sam Worrell leads the team in home runs (4), doubles (6), RBI (22) and walks (13). 

About the Buccaneers: Barry snapped a six-game losing streak with a Saturday sweep over Florida Southern. The Buccaneers scored 19 runs in the three game series, and Peyton Rawls picked up her first career victory in the circle. Freshman, Karla Santiago, went 5-for-6 on Saturday as she continues to play a key role for Barry, taking part in 37 of 39 games this season. Rawls leads the SSC with 29 walks, followed up by her teammate Andrea Johnson with 22. Lynsey Duncan leads the conference with 15 doubles and ranks third in the SSC with 48 hits. 

Watch Live: Fans may watch the game through TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are available through TampaStats.com.

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Additionally, @Tampa_Softball on Twitter, and Instagram for social media content and scoring updates.

Text Alerts: UT also offers a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.

Front Row: Download the official app of UT Athletics on the Apple or Android store. Look for Tampa Spartans Front Row app to receive notifications from your favorite Spartan teams. The app is completely free.