McGinnis' Perfect Day Caps Spartan Sweep of the Sailfish

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team completes the sweep of PBA with the help of Gwen McGinnis' second career perfect game.

Records: Tampa 19-6, (6-3), PBA 8-20, (0-9)

Location: Simpson Field l West Palm Beach, FL.

History: Today's double header marked the 50th and 51st meetings between the Spartans and the Sailfish with the Spartans holding a 32-19 advantage all-time, including six in a row.

Final Game One: Tampa 2, PBA 0

Final Game Two: Tampa 8, PBA 0

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Game two of the three game set proved to be one that was going to follow a similar script to the first where runs were at a premium. Holly Steffus made the appearance in the circle for the Spartans, and she would add another dandy of a performance to her recent form as only five baserunners would reach base safely, and Steffus retiring 11 hitters in a row at one point. Despite this performance in the circle, the Spartan offense would struggle to push across an all important run in the regulation seven innings despite a couple of good opportunities to do so. However, in the eighth inning, the Spartans would finally get the clutch piece of hitting they were looking for as Karlee Salisbury would come through with the two out, two run single to put the Spartans ahead. With the game on the line, McGinnis would get the call to close out the game in the bottom of the eighth, and she would do just that with a 1-2-3 inning to record her second save of the season. However, this was just the start of McGinnis' input on the day's action.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Steffus - W (5-1): 7.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 7 SO

• Salisbury - 1-4, 2 RBI (14)

• Cam Feast - 2-2, R, BB

• Reynolds - 1-2, R, BB

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

The second game of the day and the third game of the series was all Spartans. Getting the start in the circle would be Gwen McGinnis, and she would step up to deliver the performance of her career. McGinnis was rolling along in the circle, continuously getting weak contact and allowing the defense to do their part. Through five innings, it was obvious that something special was brewing for the Spartan ace. Despite this, at the start it was shaping up as though we were in for the third low scoring affair of the series as the Spartans were only able to muster a pair of baserunners in the first four innings. Tampa would find their breakthrough in the fifth inning off the bat of Kenzie Reynolds in the form of a two out single up the middle. In the sixth inning, Tampa would put their foot on the gas pedal and add a staggering seven runs, with five of those runs coming with two outs. With the run rule in effect, the stage was set as McGinnis only needed three more outs to secure her second career perfect game. Just like the first game of the day, McGinnis would step up and set down the Sailfish in order to secure the 12th perfect game in Tampa Softball program history.

INSIDE THE STATS: