ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. –  The University of Tampa softball team spilt the double-header against Eckerd this afternoon and ultimately won the first conference series of the year.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):

Final: Eckerd 5 (W: Hannah Perkins, 2-2), Tampa 1 (L: Corynn Miner, 2-2)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (7-2, 1-1 SSC), Eckerd College Tritons (5-6, 1-1 SSC)
Location: Turley Athletic Complex || St. Petersburg, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa has dominated the series, leading 93-23; Last season, the Spartans swept the series and out-scored the Tritons 8-3. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

TOP 3rd: With two outs, Stephanie Balmer flared a base-knock to shallow left field. Balmer scored from first base on an RBI double from Cristina Clauberg, which provided a one-run lead for the Spartans. 

BOT 3rd: The Tritons had two runners on with two outs when Skylar Redish stepped to the plate. Redish, a freshman catcher, roped her first career home run to give Eckerd a two-run lead. 

BOT 5th: To begin the fifth inning, Eckerd’s Kayelee Newstrom led off the inning with a walk on a full count. The next batter, Nikole Van Gennep, hit an opposite field home run to extend the lead to 5-1. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Miner tied her season-high with seven strikeouts as she pitched her third complete game of the season.
• Redish logged career-high’s with three hits and three RBI.
• Eckerd’s starting pitcher, Hannah Perkins, threw only 65 pitches in seven innings of work.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Eckerd’s Nikole Van Gennep has hit two home runs in this series. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):

Final: Tampa 5 (W: Makaleigh Dooley: 6-0), Eckerd 1 (L: N. Van Gennep: 3-4)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (8-2, 2-1 SSC), Eckerd College Tritons (5-7, 1-2 SSC)
Location: Turley Athletic Complex || St. Petersburg, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa has dominated the series, leading 94-23; Last season, the Spartans swept the series and out-scored the Tritons 8-3. 
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Follow @Tampa_Softball on Twitter and Instagram for live updates and social media content.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

TOP 1st: The lead-off hitter, Stephanie Balmer, opened the game with a battle at the plate and worked to a full count. Balmer won the battle with a walk and moved into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt from Cristina Clauberg. With two outs, Sam Worrell belted a home run to dead center field to score Balmer and give UT a 2-0 lead in the first inning. 

BOT 6th: Kayelee Newstrom cut the Eckerd deficit in half with a solo home run to center field as the wind picked up at Turley Field.

TOP 7th: The Spartans offense came alive in the final inning of the double-header as they scored four runs on four hits. With a 2-1 lead, Worrell singled up the middle and Mackenzie Allen pinch-ran for the senior. Allen advanced to second base on a passed ball and scored on a RBI double from Corynn Miner. Maddie Farrell provided some insurance runs for Dooley as the junior catcher laced a two-run home run to center field. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dooley pitched her sixth complete game in as many starts; seven innings with 8 strikeouts and allowed only three hits.
• The Spartans’ senior pitcher threw 70 pitches and 61 of which were strikes (87%).

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The home run by Farrell was the first of her career as she’s been a three-year starter at catcher.
• Worrell‘s home run was the second of the season for the senior transfer. She logged 15 HR’s in three years at USF.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will host Florida Southern next weekend for a three-game series beginning on Friday night as first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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