Tampa Splits Set with Sharks

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - After dropping the conference opener, the No. 6 University of Tampa baseball team split their Saturday doubleheader with Nova Southeastern University. The Sharks won the first game by a 7-6 score, improving to 13-7 (2-1 SSC) on the season. Tampa took game two by an 8-7 margin and their record now stands at 14-7 (1-2 SSC) as they concluded play at the NSU Baseball Complex.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

Outfielder Andrew Jones and first baseman Heath Pritchard tallied a home run each on the day as they both hit 3-for-7. Jones finished the doubleheader with four RBI and two runs while Pritchard added two RBI and two runs to his credit. Third baseman Eric Grabe picked up five hits in eight at-bats on the set.

Tampa took an early lead in game one after being given four free bases to start the first inning. Third baseman Damon Elder plated one run with a single to right center to put the Spartans at an early 2-0 lead.

NSU shortstop Luis Penate launched a game-tying shot to left, knotting the score a two aside. The Sharks would take the lead after Daniel Petitbon sent his second homer of the series over the centerfield fence to put Nova ahead 4-2.

The Spartans chipped away at the deficit in the fifth thanks to the Jones tower-shot to left, adding a pair of runs. NSU's lead shrinks to 6-4 as UT plates two.

Tampa tacked another run on the board as Elder hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Grabe and come within a run of the Sharks, who owned a slim 6-5 lead.

Some top of the ninth magic for the Spartans tied the game as first baseman Heath Pritchard crushed a solo shot to left with two outs off of closer Sean Albury. A key double in the bottom of the ninth however set the table for Penate to single home the game-winning run for the Sharks, final score 7-6.

Reliever Daniel Foltz was handed the loss, pitching 4.2 innings allowing four hits, and the single run in the ninth.

In game two, both pitchers made quick work of three innings, as the Spartan attack came in the fourth frame. Designated hitter Pritchard notched another RBI, a single to right, tallying the first run of the game. A trio of two-RBI singles from Elder, Jones and shortstop Patrick Donahue quickly put the Spartans in a commanding 7-0 lead over the Sharks.

NSU answered back in the home half of the fourth with three runs off of two hits, to decrease the deficit 7-3.

In the home half of the fifth inning, Sharks centerfielder Andrew Durden pelted a three-run bomb deep over the left field fence to bring the match within one, Spartans lead NSU 7-6.

Tampa adds an insurance run in the sixth by way of second baseman Raiko Alfonso, who crossed for the Spartans to put them at an 8-6 lead.

Righty Aaron Gerbasi entered the game in the sixth with the bases loaded to notch two strikeouts and pitch out of the jam with the lead intact for the Spartans. Lefty Ryan Kennedy came in with one out and runners on first and second to draw the double play and earn the save.

Starter Frank DeJiulio earned the win pitching 4.1 innings giving up four earned runs off of five hits.

Tampa heads home as they get set to face Wayne State Tuesday. The 6 p.m. contest will be played at the University of Tampa Baseball Field. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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