Packrall Paces USC-Aiken in Dominant Fashion
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
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2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
AIKEN, S.C. - After scoring five runs in the top of the ninth, the No. 1 ranked University of Tampa baseball team bested No. 2 University of South Carolina-Aiken 8-4 Saturday afternoon as part of the Prestige Appliance Classic.
Relief pitcher Preston Packrall (1-0) threw seven hitless innings to earn the win and move the Spartans to 5-0 on the season. The senior struck out three and walked two en route to his masterful performance which included four straight frames without a baserunner.
Fellow Senior Kevin McNorton picked up his second save of the season in the 8-4 victory.
Pacer reliever Caleb Smith (0-1) was tabbed with the loss after allowing five runs, two earned in the top of the ninth. USC-Aiken ended the day with a 3-2 overall record.
Outfielder Connor Obrochta hit a bases-clearing double down the leftfield line in the ninth to give Tampa the lead. Infielders Orlando Rivera and Giovanny Alfonzo each recorded a pair of base-hits for Tampa while Tyler Ding, Michael Danner and Jacob Tillotson each plated a runner.
Pacers centerfielder Kody Belcher notched four stolen bases, three hits and a RBI despite the 8-4 loss. The Spartans put together five runs in the ninth to start their season a perfect 5-0.
UT will conclude its weekend with a Sunday game against Shepherd University, game time slated for an 11 a.m. start. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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