Tampa Holds Off Saint Leo In SSC Opener

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (16-10, 7-3 SSC) softball team claimed a 5-3 victory over Saint Leo University (18-21, 5-5 SSC) in the first of a three game Sunshine State Conference set from the UT Softball Complex.

UT jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Becky Vyzas drove home Julie Wisniewski to start the scoring. Tampa's other run came on a sacrifice fly by Jessica Tejas, scoring Vyzas.

The Spartans stretched the lead to 4-0 with a pair of runs in the third inning. Tejas was credited with the first RBI as Shannon Kelly drove home Brittany Hipple for the second run.

After Saint Leo scored one in the fifth and two in the sixth to cut the UT lead to 4-3, the Spartans crossed a run in the sixth as added insurance. The run came on an RBI single by Tejas, marking her third of the game.

Hipple finished 3-for-4 from the plate as Tejas and Ashley Carrea collected two hits apiece for the Spartans.

Heather Van Landingham (9-6) started for Tampa and went 5.1 innings, striking out four Lions. Kari Walsh entered in the sixth inning and struck out two Lions in 1.2 innings of relief to earn her first save of the year.

Tampa and Saint Leo will close out the series on Thursday in a 6 p.m. doubleheader. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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