Tampa Falters In Doubleheader Series Versus Barry

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 16 University of Tampa softball team split with the Sunshine State Conference favorites of Barry University in a doubleheader series Sunday afternoon at the UT softball field. The Spartans took the first game by a 3-0 mark as Barry stole the second meeting in a 4-2 battle in 12 innings of play.

With the split, Tampa moves its record to 32-7 and 13-5 in the SSC while Barry picks up a 29-9 overall standing to go 15-3 in the conference.

Tampa appeared on the scoreboard in the first match-up during the third inning after a triple from Julie Wisniewski funneled Brie Walton around the bases for the first score of the game. Becky Vyzas followed adding to the rally as she sent a pitch over the left field fence to account for a two-run home run bringing in Wisniewski. Walton, Wisniewski and Vyzas recorded the only hits of the game as Vyzas tabbed a team high two RBI.

UT's defense was headed by Kari Walsh as she started the first game and went on to tally a shutout while recording four strikes outs in 7.0 innings.

Deanna Henriott started the second game to tally five strike outs in 4.0 innings of work as Walsh finished out the final 7.2 innings to tack on five more strikes pushing her record to12-3.

The Buccaneers came alive in the last meeting plating two runs in the first inning thanks to a Grace Collins single to bring in Sarah Broeseker. Collins went on to score in the batting round to add another run, showing two on the scoreboard.

The Spartans would not be able to answer until the bottom of the sixth inning as Tampa capitalized on two Barry errors as Jallo and Vyzas both recorded runs to knot the score at two taking the game into extra innings.

The game went to 12 innings before Barry would be able to convert three runs in 12 innings of play to close out the game.

Tampa returns to action Friday, April 15 at 7 p.m. as the team plays host to Florida Southern College in a home meeting with a doubleheader series following against the Mocs on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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