Spartans Fall Short in Bid to Upset Moccasins

TAMPA, Fla. - A three-run sixth inning by second-ranked Florida Southern proved to be too much for The University of Tampa softball team as it dropped a 4-1 decision in the first of a three game series to open Sunshine state Conference play for both teams. The Spartans drop to 4-9 on the season and 0-1 in league play as Florida Southern improves to 13-5 and 1-0 in SSC action.

The game remained scoreless until Florida Southern scored the game's first run in the top of the third. The Moccasins tacked on three in their half of the sixth as Tampa added just one run in the sixth. The Spartans did, however, have opportunities as they left a total of 13 runners on base.

Samantha Becker was 2-4 for UT while Jessica Tejas drove in the team's lone run on a double. Devlin Dougherty started for the Spartans, throwing seven innings while giving up four runs on four hits with six strikeouts.

The two teams meet again tomorrow in Tampa for a 6 p.m. doubleheader to close out the series.