Mejia’s Walk-off Single Ends 10 Inning Thriller
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (33-7, 11-2) bounced back from Lynn University's (25-17, 9-7) three run eighth inning, downing the visitors in the 4-3 extra inning contest.
After two straight shutout performances, Kevin Ferguson was promoted to the starter's role for Friday's contest against Lynn. In the first inning he found himself in a bit of a jam after walking the leadoff runner and allowing a base hit. After he struck out the next batter Ferguson found himself facing the Fighting Knights' best batter in Joe Arminio. With runners on the corners, K. Ferguson jammed Arminio with an inside pitch making for an easy inning ending 6-4-3 double play.
Chris Rosenbaum's RBI single off the diving glove of Lynn's shortstop, Chad Crowe, drove in Roberto Mena and ended the scoreless game in the bottom of the fifth. A throwing error by the second baseman allowed Nolan Brannon to score, giving Tampa a two run lead.
Back-to-back two-out doubles from Craig Corrado and Charlie Raley in the seventh gave the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
K. Ferguson once again was spectacular in tossing seven scoreless innings allowing only four hits and fanning seven hitters. At one point in the ball game he retired 13 straight batters between the second and the seventh innings. K. Ferguson unfortunately was not awarded the victory, after Lynn's three run eighth off of the usually automatic Jonathan Holt.
Holt not only allowed his first two walks of the season but also saw his first blown save in 15 opportunities. Kyle Halloway had the game tying hit for Lynn in that eighth inning as he brought Jason Ten Eyck and pinch runner, Allen Hatfield around to score.
Troy Ferguson picked a good time to get his first hit of the night as he doubled in the bottom of the tenth to put himself in scoring position. Junior Mejia's single up the middle ended the up and down game, giving the Spartans a victory in their first extra inning game since the 2006 National Championship.
Holt (2-2) became the pitcher of record earning his second victory of the season, after regaining his composure and not allowing a run in the ninth and 10th innings.
Tampa and Lynn conclude their series with a double header tomorrow at 1:00 pm at The University of Tampa Baseball Stadium.