Carrea’s Hot Bat, VanLandingham’s Arm Lead Tampa to NCAA Tourney Victory

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The University of Tampa softball team kept its South Region hopes alive with a 5-0 victory over Albany State in NCAA tournament play. The Spartans are now 32-12 on the year while the Rams end their season at 33-22.

After accounting for the lone run with a home run in yesterday's game, Ashley Carrea followed up with a 3-3 effort at the plate. The sophomore from Tampa had a home run and a pair of doubles while driving in four of Tampa's five runs.

UT got on the board in the second inning when Carrea doubled in Krystal Crooks for the first run of the contest. Tampa then extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth when Carrea hit a two run homer, scoring Cassie Barnes. Tampa also scored a pair in the sixth, on RBI's by both Carrea and Rachel Browning.

The Spartans finished the afternoon with eight hits as Ashley Arcuri, Samantha Becker, Crooks, Jessica Tejas and Browning each collected a hit.

Heather VanLandingham improved her record to 11-4 with the victory as she completed the shutout. The sophomore from Tampa struck out 14 while allowing just four hits.

Tampa will now play on Friday at 11 p.m., against the loser of Thursday's Saint Leo versus West Florida game.