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May 16, 2025

Spartans Outscore AUM 10-0 In DH Sweep, Earn Programs First Trip To Softball Championship Finals

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Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa's Softball program was back in action this afternoon for the final games of the NCAA Division II South Super Regional. The Spartans have a tall task ahead of them after dropping game one of the best-of-three series to Auburn University at Montgomery. The Warhawks are now one win away from a College Softball World Series appearance but Tampa can steal the show with a doubleheader sweep. While the Spartans did not have the clear advantage this afternoon, they have the leadership and experience needed to try and pull off the hardest feat in softball.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Records: Tampa Spartans 45-10, Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks 41-13

NCAA Tournament Path: Tampa (3-1) - Spring Hill, Nova Southeastern, Barry

NCAA Tournament Path: Auburn-Montgomery (3-0) - West Florida, Saint Leo 2x

Location: Namoli Family Stadium l Tampa, Fla

History: This evening's doubleheader was the fifth and sixth time these two programs have squared off. With the sweep, Tampa improves to 4-2 in the all-time series. 

Game One Final: Tampa 5, Alabama-Montgomery 0

Game Two Final: Tampa 5, Alabama-Montgomery 0

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

With their season on the, the Spartans turned to Mariah Galhouse in the circle to wield them to a rubber match. Even with their backs against the wall, Galhouse was not going to back down as she attacked Warhawk hitters for seven strong innings. However, before Galhouse even stepped foot onto the rubber she helped the Spartans set the tone early. As the visiting team in game two of the super regionals, the Spartans wasted no time getting on the board after being shutout less than 24 hours ago. Lilly Kiester led off the contest with a single up the middle before being advanced all the way to third base by the next two Tampa batters. This setup Mariah Galhouse to barrel a fastball over the AUM shortstops head for the first Tampa run of the game. While rune one was all the Spartans could get in the top of the first, Galhouse and her defense posted their first zero of the day to take a 1-0 lead into the second inning. Throwing up zero's with the help of her defense was the theme of game two for the Spartans as they shut down the Warhawk offense in the second inning as well. In the third inning, Alexa Russo doubled in the gap to bring home Hannah Yetter for a 2-0 Tampa. Two out hitting was once again executed to perfection in the top of the fourth as Lilly Kiester poked a single through the infield to clear the bases and double the lead. Down 4-0 and needing a response, Warhawks loaded the bases with one out attempting to break the shutout. Unfortunately for AUM, Lauren Fantone had other plans as she threw out the runner on third trying to score on a fly ball to left field. This huge defensive play from Fantone was the true momentum swing in this series as the Warhawks failed to reach second base for the rest of the game. Kate DeSimone added an insurance run in the top of the fifth (RBI Walk) to make the scoreline 5-0 and the Spartans were in the driver's seat. Galhouse and the Tampa defense sat down the next 6 batters and while the Warhawks led off the bottom of the seventh with back to back singles, there was going to be a game three. While the momentum was officially on Tampa's side, they knew it would take another near perfect game of softball to take the series. 

INSIDE THE STATS:  

 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

With the program's first trip to the world series on the line, the Spartans turned to Kate DeSimone in the circle to continue keeping the Warhawks at bay. She began her day by inducing back to back weak ground balls before getting the next batter to fly out for her first 1-2-3 inning of the day. In the bottom half, the Spartans continued to ride the hot bat of Lilly Kiester as she led off the inning with a single. This started a first inning rally by the Spartans that ended in two runs after the Warhawks threw the ball into right field on a routine ground ball. Now pitching with a lead, DeSimone grew more confident as the game went on. She picked up her first strikeout of the contest in the bottom of the second while tossing another 1-2-3 inning. Tampa's offensive momentum could not be held in check as they scored again in the bottom of the second. This time it was Lauren Fantone with a clutch hit to make it 3-0 before Alexa Russo added another run by producing a deep sacrifice fly. Now trailing 4-0, the Warhawks once again attempted to hit themselves back into this series. They were able to use back to back hits to set up first and third but Kinnah Kreidler hosed the runner on first trying to steal second from behind the dish to shut down AUM's potential big inning. The middle innings of this pivotal game three were dominated by pitching with both teams only combing for three hits from the bottom of the third through the fifth inning. With DeSimone dealing, the Warhawks thought they had finally started to get to her when they led off the top fo the sixth with back to back hits. However, the Spartan defense came up big again with back to back elite defensive plays to hold the shutout through six. Tampa was rewarded for their outstanding defensive efforts when Lilly Kiester scored on a wild pitch to take a 5-0 lead into the seventh inning. After dropping the first game of the series, the Spartans found themselves three outs away from pulling off the reverse sweep but needed to finish the job. Kate DeSimone struck out the first batter of the inning before getting the next batter to fly out to left field. DeSimone then closed the door on the Warhawks by inducing a ground ball to Alexa Russo for the final out and the Spartans made history. This win marks the first NCAA South Super Regional series win for Tampa's Softball program and they have punched their ticket to the Division II College Softball World Series.  

INSIDE THE STATS: 

 

UP NEXT: The Spartans have advanced to the Division II College Softball World Series in Chattanooga, Tennessee which begins play on Thursday, May 22nd. The Spartans are still awaiting their opponent and game time but will travel to Tennessee on Wednesday.