Lions Fool Tampa 7-4, No Kidding

Box score

TAMPA, Fla.- Saint Leo University won an April Fool's day upset as they defeated the No. 9 University of Tampa baseball team, handing the Spartans a 7-4 loss. SLU improves to 10-19 on the season with a 2-8 Sunshine State Conference record while UT tumbles to a 22-9 margin and 6-4 in conference play.

Third baseman Eric Grabe tallied three hits in four chances while coming around to score once for the Tampa team.

Saint Leo were first to strike, as they plated two in the first inning of play. Spartans would take one back in the second frame off of a two-bagger by outfielder Connor Obrochta, plating Damon Elder to cut the Lion lead to 2-1.

SLU would add a run in both the fifth and sixth innings as a Ryan Powers double and a sacrifice fly credited to Lion outfielder Ware Hart to score one each.

The Spartan bats awoke in the eighth as a trio of singles set the table for pinch hitter Tyler Ding to double home a pair of runs to pull Tampa within three of the 7-4 Lion lead.

Lions reliever Austin Buck would come in to pitch the final four outs of the game and slam the door on the Spartans rally. Buck struck out three to earn the save in the Spartan loss.

Starter Aaron Brandt would earn the win pitching 7.2 innings allowing four runs off eight hits while fanning four. Tampa starter Josh Thrailkill was tabbed with the loss, pitching six innings and surrendering six runs off of nine hits.

Tampa will look to bounce back in the Saturday doubleheader against the Lions as they close out their SSC series. Game one is slated for a 1 p.m. start while the final contest will begin at 4 p.m. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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