Spartans End Season at NCAA South Regional as Kayla Cox Throws No-Hitter
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 5 University of Tampa (37-8) softball team played a pair of games at the NCAA Division II South Regional, defeating Barry University (40-11) 2-0 and ending its season with a 5-3 loss to the University of West Alabama (35-24).
The story of the first game for the Spartans was Kayla Cox's no-hitter, as the sophomore became the first player to throw a postseason no-hitter for the Spartans. She also handed Barry its first no-hitter since the 2001 season.
Cox extended her school record consecutive unearned streak to 81.1 innings as she hurled 7.0 shutout frames. She finished with 15 strikeouts against the No. 13 team in the nation. The victory moved her record to 16-1 on the season.
A pair of third-inning runs was all Cox needed as seniors Susan Jallo and Becky Vyzas each drove in the runs. Vyzas finished with two hits as both players had a double apiece.
Tampa's win in the elimination game allowed them to meet West Alabama in the third game of the day. The Tigers were defeated by Florida Southern in game one by a score of 4-1, advancing the Mocs to Sunday's regional semifinals.
In the evening game, Tampa struck first as Jallo singled home Brie Walton in the second inning to put the Spartans up 1-0. West Alabama would respond with a two-out rally in the top of the third, taking a 3-1 lead.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Tampa's Becky Vyzas reached on a two-base error as UWA dropped a pop fly. Pinch runner Jenna Halper would later score on a triple by Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year Meagan Burke. The freshman dual-sport star would also score on the play as UWA had another error, knotting the score at 3-3.
The Tigers would respond with two runs of their own in the top of the sixth, regaining the lead at 5-3.
Deanna Henriott started for the Spartans, throwing the first 2.2 frames for UT. The ace allowed three runs while striking out three Tigers.
Cox would enter and throw 2.1 scoreless innings before her record streak without an earned run came to an end in the top of the sixth inning. The streak ended at 83.2 innings for the Spartan sophomore. Cox (16-2) finished with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work, giving up two runs.
Henriott would re-enter and pitch 1.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. The senior finished her dominant career with a school-record 1,100 strikeouts, ranking as the most prolific pitcher in program history in every category.
West Alabama advances to meet Florida Southern in Sunday's regional semifinals. The Mocs need just one victory to advance to the Super Regional, as UWA will need a pair of wins. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m., at the Vince Naimoli Family Field.
Click here for the official host Web page of the Tampa Regional