Spartans Clinch Third Consecutive Series Win With Split Against Southern

LAKELAND, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team bounced back to take the series victory in the rubber match against Florida Southern after dropping the opener of today's double header.

Records: Tampa 23-8, (10-5), Florida Southern 8-22, (2-12)

Location: Chris Bellotto Field l Lakeland, FL.

History: Today's double header marked 143rd and 144th meetings between the Mocs and the Spartans with Tampa trailing in the all-time series 66-78

Final Game One: Tampa 3, Florida Southern 6

Final Game Two: Tampa 2, Florida Southern 0

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Tampa would get on the board first, but the first run of the game would wait for the second inning before being scored this time around. The Spartans' patient approach at the plate was showing as five Spartan hitters were able to work a walk in the first two innings. Despite this traffic though, Tampa was unable to find the crucial hit necessary to put a crooked number on the board. The Spartans were able to able to earn another run in the top of the third after converting a leadoff walk into a sacrifice fly off the bat of Joey Trawick. However, the Mocs would hit back in a big way by knocking in six runs in the bottom of the third to take control of the game. Tampa responded in the very next inning through a Kinnah Kreidler single up the middle, but were unable to further cut into the Southern advantage. Kelsey Winters came in to finish off the third, and took that momentum through the rest of the game without allowing the Mocs to score again. However, the Spartans were also unable to score any more runs and fell in game one of the double header.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Holly Steffus - 2.1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 SO, BB

• Trawick - 1-2, RBI (4), 2B (2)

• Kreidler - 1-3, RBI (21), BB

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

The rubber game of the series started off as a good old fashioned pitcher's duel with the teams combining for only one hit through four innings, and Gwen McGinnis holding the Mocs to only one baserunner during that time. It was in the fifth inning that the Spartans got some early traffic on the bases, and they would convert. The conversion came through clever base running as Jenna Neupaver would steal second, but the ball escaped into center field allowing Karlee Salisbury to score the game's first run. Looking for some insurance, Tampa would turn to the same duo as Neupaver would smack a double to left center field that allowed Salisbury to score from first to take the Tampa lead to 2-0. In the bottom of the 7th, McGinnis would quickly allow a pair of baserunners, but would lean on her all-american experience in the circle to record the first out before benefiting from a sharp defensive play by Kenzie Reynolds to record a game ending double play.

INSIDE THE STATS:  

• McGinnis - W (15-3): 7.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 SO, 2 BB

• Neupaver - 2-4, RBI (16), 2B (2), SB (5); 10th multi-hit game this season

• Salisbury - 3-3, 2 R

() - Season Totals

UP NEXT: The Spartans come home to meet the Sharks of Nova Southeastern for the first time since the 2025 NCAA South Regional Friday, April 10 at 6:00pm.