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Reynolds
Reynolds
April 18, 2025

Spartans and Panthers Split Tightly Contested Doubleheader

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Tampa, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team was back on the diamond this afternoon for a doubleheader with Florida Tech. These two games would define this series after the Panthers escaped extra innings with a win in game one. After a tough loss in game one, everyone wanted to see how the Spartans were going to respond. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: Tampa Spartans 36-6 (19-5 SSC), Florida Tech 24-19 (14-12 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Stadium l Tampa, Fla

History: This afternoon's double header was the 131st and 132nd matchups all-time between these two programs. With the split, Tampa still leads the series 78-54. 

Final Game One: #3 Tampa 3, Florida Southern 1

Final Game Two: #3 Tampa 0 Florida Southern 1

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Getting the start in the circle for the Spartans in game one was Kate DeSimone, looking to secure her tenth win on the year. She began her day by inducing three straight weak balls in plays for an easy 1-2-3 inning. The Spartans were unable to earn a baserunner as well and the game stayed scoreless after one. After DeSimone shut down the Panthers for the second straight inning, Kinnah Kreidler earned the first hit of the game in the bottom of the second. Her infield hit came with two outs already gone in the inning and the Spartans were unable to get her home. In the top of the third, Desimone picked up strikeouts number four and five on the day as she held the Panthers scoreless once again. Despite putting balls in play, the Spartans again were unable to scratch across a run and the game transitioned to the fourth inning with a 0-0 stalemate. Both Desimone and the Panther starter dominated the fourth inning, combining to pick up six outs in just 18 pitches. The fifth inning is where the pitching dominance began to fade. With two outs gone in the top of the fifth, the Panthers earned back to back base hits to score the game's first run. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Spartan offense finally started to pick up their pitcher. After Mariah Galhouse led off the inning with a walk, Kinnah Kreidler and Kate DeSimone loaded the bases with nobody out. This set up Olivia Feldman to crank a line drive over the head of the Panther left fielder and score two runs to take the lead. While these were the only runs scored in the bottom half of the inning the Spartans held a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning. Kate DeSimone continued to bear down and toss a perfect sixth inning which led to the Spartans tacking on an important insurance run. Kinnah Kreidler doubled to left field to push the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth. In the last inning of the game, Kate DeSimone slammed the door shut on the Panthers while picking up her eight strikeout of the game. This 3-1 win by Tampa was bigger than just getting back into the win column, it moves them one game closer to securing the SSC regular season crown.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

To begin the rubber match of this electric three game series, Mariah Galhouse was handed the ball in the circle. The Panthers did not waste any time getting on base as the first two batters in the lineup both reached. The Panthers used these baserunners to manufacture the game's first run in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, the Spartans also earned two baserunners and had second and third with only one out gone. However, the Fliruda tech defense stood tall and held the Spartans scoreless to lead 1-0 after one. The second inning saw both starters start to settle into this contest as both tossed perfect 1-2-3 innings. Galhouse continued dominating as the game transitioned to the middle innings, throwing up zero's in the third and fourth innings. Offensively, the Spartans continued to struggle against the Florida Tech starter. Despite earning baserunners, Tampa was unable to push across the tying run as the game moved into the fifth inning. Galhouse again kept Tampa alive in this contest by throwing another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth. However, the Panther starter responded once again with her own 1-2-3 inning and Florida Tech took a 1-0 lead into the final two innings. The sixth inning was more of the same from the two studs in the circle as they both downed the opposing offenses in order for the third straight inning. In the final inning of regulation, Mariah Galhouse did allow a base hit but shut down the rest of the inning to keep the Spartans deficit at one run heading into the bottom of the seventh. To begin the final chance at the plate for Tampa, Abby Sulte singled to center field and the Spartans had the tying run on base. Mariah Galhouse then helped herself out by dropping a near perfect bunt to move the tying run to second base. Unfortunately for the Spartans, the next two batters failed to either reach base or score the runner from second and the Panthers locked up the series win. 

 

INSIDE THE STATS: 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will travel across the bay next weekend for a three game series with Eckerd. The last road series of the year for Tampa softball will begin on Friday, April 25th at 2:00pm.