Errors Cost Spartans in 14 Inning Affair

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The 19th-ranked University of Tampa softball team played Nova Southeastern University in an extra inning game that went 14 innings before the Sharks scored a pair in the 14th to take the 3-2 win. The Spartans are now 22-6 while NSU improves to 29-10 in the first of a three game set between the teams.

Tampa scored first with a run in the fourth inning. Ashley Arcuri led the inning off with a single, and then scored on a Krystal Crooks single. Nova answered with a run of their own in the sixth inning.

The game remained scoreless for the next seven innings until Michele Horan led off the top of the 14th with a solo home run down the left field line. A pair of Spartan errors in the bottom half of the 14th proved to be the difference as both of NSU's runs were unearned as they claimed the victory.

Deanna Henriott went the distance for UT, finishing with 12 strikeouts while throwing 13.2 innings. The freshman allowed just six hits and one earned run in the game. At the plate, Horan had four hits to lead Tampa while Crooks had a pair of singles.

UT finished the game with five errors, compared to just one by the Sharks. The Spartans did outhit NSU by a 10-6 clip.

The teams will be back in action again on Saturday as they play a doubleheader that is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.