ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd softball team dropped a doubleheader to No. 2 Tampa at the Turley Athletic Complex Saturday afternoon. UT took the opener 8-0 in six innings and won 3-0 in the finale.
Eckerd limited the Spartans' offense early on in the opener, giving up just one run through four innings as UT scored in the third on an error.
The Spartans added two runs in the fifth on a pair of RBI hits before plating five in the sixth on three extra-base hits and a sacrifice fly.
Eckerd threatened in the second and fourth innings with runners in scoring position but could not push a run across.
In the finale, Tampa took an early 3-0 lead in the second on a bases-loaded double in the second inning. However, Avery Beauchaine kept the Spartans' bats at bay over the next five innings.
EC loaded the bases in the third with three straight singles from Ella Coiner, Lauren Margolis, and Skylar Redish. However, Eckerd was unable to plate a run.
Eckerd looked to rally in the seventh as Brenna Lokeinsly and Coiner singled with two outs, but the Tritons were unable to complete the comeback.
HOW IT ENDED
Game One
FINAL: No. 2 Tampa 8, Eckerd 0 (6 Innings)
WP: McGinnis (7-0) LP: Benefield (8-8) HR: Wineinger (5), Chevalier (6)
Game Two
FINAL: No. 2 Tampa 3, Eckerd 0
WP: Feldman (9-0) LP:Beauchaine (5-5)
RECORDS: Eckerd (20-18, 5-16 SSC), Tampa (32-2, 20-1 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Margolis and Brooklyn Cardona recorded EC's hits in the opener.
- Brielle Benefield struck out five in the opener.
- Coiner went 3-for-4 in the finale. She also registered her 18th stolen base of the year.
- Beauchanie fanned four in the finale.
UP NEXT
Eckerd travels to Saint Leo next weekend for a three-game series starting Friday at 6:00 PM.
