TAMPA, Fla. - Despite a two-run homerun by Michael Ballard in the fourth inning, the Eckerd baseball team's offense struggled against No. 3 Tampa, dropping the series opener 12-2 at the UT Baseball field Friday afternoon.
UT added a run in the first and three in the third innings for an early 4-0 favor. Ballard cut the Tritons' deficit to two in the fourth with a two-run shot to left field.
The Spartans continued to add to their lead with a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth before adding four runs in the sixth inning in a pair of RBI singles, and two sacrifice flies. Tampa padded its lead with two runs in the seventh.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: No. 3 Tampa 12, Eckerd 2
WP: Paul (2-4) LP: Stipp (2-3) HR: Ballard (6)
RECORDS: Eckerd 16-16 (5-11); Tampa 28-7 (17-2 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Kam Gelwick, Ballard, and Joe Wike collected hits.
- Ballard's homerun was his sixth of the season and the 11th of his career.
UP NEXT
Eckerd and Tampa conclude the series tomorrow with a doubleheader at 1:00 PM.
