Spartans Hold Off Florida Southern For Softball Triumph

LAKELAND, Fla. - The University of Tampa (19-16, 10-9 SSC) softball team took the first game of a Sunshine State Conference series with Florida Southern College (25-21, 9-13 SSC), outscoring the Moccasins by a 4-3 count.

Julie Wisniewski set the pace for the Spartans with a leadoff single and scored the game's first run on a wild pitch.

After Florida Southern tied the game in the second, the Spartans responded with two runs in the top of the third to claim a 3-1 advantage. Following a double by freshman Brittany Dattilo and a single by Wisniewski, Susan Jallo doubled home both teammates.

A seventh inning run by Tampa proved beneficial as Shannon Kelly scored on a bases loaded walk by Wisniewski. Kelly started off the frame with a single up the middle.

Wisniewski and Dattilo each finished the evening 3-for-3 at the plate as Wisniewski scored a pair of runs and drove in another.

Heather Van Landingham (11-10) started for the Spartans and threw 6.2 innings, allowing just five hits. Kari Walsh entered for the final out and notched a strikeout for her second save of the season.

The same two teams with meet in a Saturday doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers eScores, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.