UT Splits Twin Bill With Francis Marion
TAMPA, Fla. - After dropping a 3-1 decision, The University of Tampa (10-9) softball team responded with a 3-1 victory over visiting Francis Marion University (22-9) in an afternoon doubleheader.
The Spartans scored first in the first game as Becky Vyzas gave her team the leader with a double, scoring Julie Wisniewski. FMU finished the scoring with a three-run third as the Spartans stranded five runners in the final five innings.
Vyzas and Wisniewski each had two hits for UT in the first game of the day.
Heather Van Landingham (3-4) started for Tampa and went the distance, allowing just four hits. The senior from Tampa also notched four strikeouts.
The Spartans came from behind in game two as the Patriots struck with the contest's first run in the fourth. UT scored all of its runs in the bottom of the sixth as Brittany Hipple started the hitting with a lead-off triple. Jessica Tejas and Shannon Kelly each drove in a run as the third scored on a wild pitch.
Kari Walsh (6-3) added to her team lead in wins as the junior from Palm Bay went 7.0 innings with five strikeouts.
Tejas led the UT offense while going 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
The Spartans are back in action on Friday as it hosts Lynn University in a Sunshine State Conference series. The game is slated for 7 p.m. at the UT Softball Field. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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