The University of Tampa Spartans outscored the Stillman Tigers 37-25 as they took three of four games in weekend doubleheaders hosted by UT.
The Spartans rode a career performance by Josh Bowman in game number one Feb. 21. Bowman turned in 14 strikeouts allowing just two runs on six hits and granting no walks, leading UT in a 7-2 victory.
Left-hander Max Kreuter tossed the final two innings, sealing the deal for the Spartans. The win takes Bowman to 3-1 for the season.
Tampa bats roared early against Stillman starter Josh Cagle. UT took their frustration out on Cagle in the first inning, scoring four runs on three hits.
Michael Bourdon ripped a solo homerun in the second inning.
In the second game the Tigers came out clawing. Starter Chase Wilson was able to go the distance against UT allowing just two runs on three hits.
Tampa reliever Alex Koronis made an appearance in the fifth inning on the contest. He took in two runners left on base by starter A.J. Pinera.
Four hit batsmen, one wild pitch and one passed ball, accounted for two runs in the Tiger half of the fifth.
‘ Starter Pinera and reliever Koronis drilled two Stillman hitters each. Stillman added their fourth and final run in the seventh after Sean Blair stole second and third bases. Grayson Crawford knocked him in with a double down the left field line. Stillman finished the game win a 4-2 victory over the Spartans.
The Tigers would not taste the sensation of victory again during the weekend as UT swept the doubleheader on Feb. 22.
UT struck first taking advantage of a Tiger error, in the opening inning.
Tampa tacked up three runs in the frame, two being unearned. Tyler Cox scored in the second inning after Correy Figueroa drove him in from second base. Cox stole a career high three bases in the game.
The Tigers would not go away however. They scored four runs in the fourth to even the score and another run in inning number five to take the lead 5-4.
Tampa answered in the bottom half of the fifth-inning. Stillman started the inning for UT as Michael Schwartz and Jose Jimenez were issued back-to-back walks setting the Spartans up for a four-run inning on just one hit.
UT added another two runs in the seventh and the eighth to seal the win at 10-8.
The way game number two began UT looked to be headed to extreme devastation and a disappointing loss. The Tigers started the game by posting five runs in the top of the first inning.
Tampa shortstop Jesus Barroso committed a throwing error accounting for two of the five runs for the Tigers.
The following innings showcased both a fantastic display of both teams’ bats, but also a horrific display of pitching and defense. The teams committed a combined five errors while also stroking 40 hits and scoring 35 runs.
The University of Tampa proved to be victorious as they won the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning by the score of 18-17.
Tampa shortstop, Barosso, came around to score the game winning 18th run, possibly covering up his previous defensive mishaps.
Figueroa, Schwartz, and Jared Simon each tallied a homerun in the 18-17 effort for UT with Sean Blair (2) and Josh McGinnis scoring long balls for Stillman.
UT infielder Devin Gonzalez batted in nine runs on the afternoon.
Tampa was in action Thursday in Winter Haven, Fla. against Nebraska-Omaha.
The Spartans will bring their now No. 9 ranking home to take on Valdosta State in a double header beginning at 1 p.m.
Kyle Bennett can be reached at kbennett@ut.edu.
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