Box Score TAMPA, Fla.- It took 10 innings to decide game one of Saint Leo baseball's final Sunshine State Conference series of the season against the University of Tampa as the Lions fell 3-2 at the UT Baseball Field Friday night.
The Lions drop to 32-12 overall and 12-10 in the conference. Tampa improves to 32-11 and 13-6 in conference play.
Tampa got on the board first, plating a run in the bottom of the second on a Cody deNoyelles RBI single. They would hold the lead until the top of the fifth when the Lions' bats awoke.
The top of the fifth started with two quick outs for the Spartans, but was followed by four straight singles for the Green and Gold. The fourth hit was by second baseman Alex Mata who singled with bases loaded to score Dale Irving and Nick Perez and take a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Andrew Amaro was able to tie the game for Tampa with a solo home run over the right field fence.
Tampa had a chance to end it in the bottom of the ninth, but Tyrone Miller was able to break out of the bases loaded jam to extend Saint Leo's life for one more at bat. However, in a similar situation in the bottom of the 10th, Tampa's Ian Townsend singled to plate the winning run.
Senior Liam O'Sullivan got the Friday night nod for the Lions going 8.0 strong innings with two runs off of six hits and five strikeouts. Tyrone Miller pitched the final 1.1 innings recording the loss, just his first this year.
On the hill for the Spartans was Chase Sparkman. Sparkman allowed two runs on nine hits over 6.2 innings before being chased from the mound. Dylan Barrow was called upon for a relief effort and finished with 3.1 scoreless innings for the win, his third of the season.
The Lions and the Spartans will continue the battle tomorrow, Saturday, April 25 with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
For more information on the Saint Leo baseball program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
