Tampa Sweeps Florida Southern in Doubleheader

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Spartans defeated the #4 Mocs 6-4 in the second game of a three game series. The third game was a close one, as Tampa came from behind with two runs in the seventh inning swinging to win 3-2. The Spartans improve to 15-5 on the season and 2-1 in Sunshine State Conference. As for the Mocs, they fall to an 8-3 for the season and 1-2 in SSC play.

Tampa's left fielder Jessica Tejas opened up the fourth inning of game two with a home run to left center field. The Spartans then capitalized on two errors by the Mocs, scoring three more runs in the inning to take a 4-2 lead. With the score tied at four in the seventh inning, Tejas stepped to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third, she connected for a clutch two run double to put Tampa up 6-4.

Game two began in much the same way as the first, as Florida Southern took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The advantage held in till the sixth inning, when Samantha Becker doubled in Ashley Arcuri to cut the Mocs' lead 2-1.

With the Mocs still holding a 2-1 lead, Arcuri delivered a two out single to keep the Spartans' hope alive. After Michelle Horan laced a single to left field, and Becker reached on an error to load the bases, Krystal Crooks stroked a double to left field that scored Arcuri and Horan to put the Spartans 3-2. Deanna Henriott came out in the bottom of the seventh and retired the Mocs in order to seal the win for the Spartans.

Horan led the Spartans with four hits in eight at-bats, while Tejas hit her first home run of the season, adding to her three RBIs for the day. Henriott pitched the whole series for Tampa, allowing six runs, one earned, on 17 hits in 20 and one-third innings. She also struck out 16 batters to raise her season total to 111 in 89 and one-third innings.

The Spartans are back at home against Eckerd on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm.