Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In a battle for their first conference win, the Eckerd baseball team took on the No. 21 University of Tampa Friday night at the Turley Athletic Complex, where the Spartans came out on the winning end, getting a run across the plate in the top of the ninth inning to win, 9-8. Eckerd's record drops to 10-3 overall and 0-1 in the Sunshine State Conference, as Tampa improves to 13-5 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
In the first two innings of the game, both teams battled back-and forth in runs. After starting pitching Joey Cuda had a rough outing in the first inning giving up singles to the first three batters and a run, Chris Clinton blasted a homer over the right field fence to bring the Tritons back into the game. After the Spartans brought in a run in the second inning, Matt Heller hit a double down the left field line to bring home Stephen Pelc to keep the game tied.
The Tritons had a big third inning, putting three runs on the board. After Spartan starting pitcher Josh Bowman issued a walk to Clinton, who then advanced to second on a wild pitch, he gave a single up the middle to Minner Labrador, who brought home Clinton to give Eckerd their third run of the game. With Joe Dabah getting on base due to a throwing error by the Tampa catcher, Labrador was able to third base as the Spartans scrambled to get the ball. Oliver Killoren drilled a base hit over to the left fielder to bring the runners home, making the score 5-3.
The fifth inning was similar for the Spartans, as Larry's Walicki's RBI double made the score 5-4. Devin Gonzales was able to connect with a two-run homer over right-center to give the Spartans a two-run advantage over Eckerd, 5-7.
After the Spartans scored their eighth run of the game in the top of the eighth inning, the Tritons quickly responded, scoring three runs to tie the game up, 8-8. Tom Meagher issued a walk to Killoren before giving up a base hit to Pelc and a RBI double to Heller. Shortly after Wess Hollins' dribbler to the first baseman to bring home Pelc, Matt Abraham had a base hit up the middle, bringing home Heller to tie the game up 8-8.
Tampa did not settle with a tie ball game in the ninth inning, scoring on a base hit to center to bring in the eventual winning run of the game. With one out in the bottom of the ninth and a runner on first base, Pelc hit a line drive shot to second, who was able to pick off the runner at first to give Eckerd their first conference loss for the season.
Cuda got the start for the Tritons, pitching six innings, surrendering 13 hits, seven runs, two walks, and striking out 10 Spartans. Jay Moroff entered the game in the seventh inning, pitching 1.2 innings, striking out four batters, while giving up two hits and one run. Chris Arayl saw action on the mound also, coming in the eighth inning and getting out of a bases loaded jam. Francisco Collazo suffered the heart breaking loss of the night, coming in the ninth inning, giving up two hits, one run, and striking out two batters.
Heller excelled at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one run and two runs batted in.
The Tritons will look to sweep the Spartans tomorrow as they close out the SSC series in double-header action. First pitch is thrown at 1:00 pm.
