Spartans Sneak Past Alabama-Huntsville to Avoid Elimination

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The University of Tampa (34-12) and Alabama-Huntsville battled out for eight innings before the Spartans pulled off a 1-0 victory to advance in the NCAA Division II Softball South Regional Championship.

In the top of the eighth inning, Michele Horan got on board with one out on an infield single to short. In the following at-bat, she advanced to second as Samantha Becker grounded out for the second out of the inning. With two outs, Krystal Crooks lined a hard shot to Charger third baseman Beth Lawson, who could not handle the hit allowing Horan to score the winning run.

Both pitching staffs were solid in the contest. Heather VanLandingham started the contest for the Spartans going five innings allowing one hit and striking out five in the no-decision. Deanna Henriott (23-8) pitched three innings of relief earning the victory fanning four without allowing a hit.

Caitlin Lee pitched seven-innings of shutout ball scattering three hits while striking out a game high 11. Alex Lewis (10-3) came in for one innings of relief taking the loss allowing one hit, one run (unearned) and one strikeout.

Alabama-Huntsville concludes the season with a 52-9 record. The Chargers were the Gulf South Conference Champions and ranked 2nd nationally in the latest NFCA Division II Softball Poll.

The fourth-seeded Spartans will now take on third seed Saint Leo at 1:35 pm at Buccaneer Field.

-courtesy Ismael Lopez