The No. 20 Tampa Spartans shutout the Stillman Tigers en route to a 9-0 win in the opening game of a four-game series.
Behind a first inning grand slam from slugger, Jared Simon, Tampa jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. UT added three more runs in the second behind a two-run single by Mike Blanke, plating Brad Roberts and Mike Schwartz.
Tampa starter Sean Bierman (2-1) tossed five scoreless innings, allowing six hits while also striking out six Tigers. Carmine Giardina came in to finish out the final four innings, allowing only three hits while striking out seven to earn his first save of the season.
Tampa added two more runs, one in the fourth and one in the ninth, to finish out the run scoring affair. Ryan McVay was the losing pitcher in the game allowing eight runs, five earned, while allowing ten hits.
Simon continues to lead the Spartans with six homeruns, 17 rbi and a .971 slugging percentage.
Tampa will be back in action Feb. 20 as they take on the Tigers in a double header, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
