By Terry Hunsicker
TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Tampa softball team swept the University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers on Thursday, Feb. 6, with a 4-3 win and a 2-1 win in extra innings.
First baseman graduate Abby Sulte’s three-run homer set the Spartans up for a narrow win in the first game. Mariah Galhouse, senior starting pitcher, pitched seven innings while only allowing one run in the second game. Gwen McGinnis, a junior reliever, pitched and collected the win in both games, not allowing any uninherited runs over four innings pitched.
“I would say my changeup is always on and my curveball was really strong as well,” said Galhouse following the second game.
Sulte said on her approach to the plate before giving the Spartans a 3-1 lead that she knew the pitch to hit was coming.
“Just kind of widened my stance and left it open a little bit to make sure my hands get to the ball and just let it go,” said Sulte.
In both games, the Spartan’s deciding run came from a sacrifice fly. Sophomore designated player Kelsey Winters’ sacrifice fly scored Dacie Watterson, pinch running sophomore, during the sixth inning to give UTampa a 4-3 win in the first game, and Sulte’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth in the second game walked off the Chargers.
“We played them four times last year. Every game is close,” said UTampa head coach Leslie Kanter before the series.
In the second game, junior starting pitcher for the Chargers Megan Shurtz pitched seven and two-thirds innings without allowing any earned runs, with the Spartan’s two runs coming from errors. Senior center fielder Lilly Kiester reached first base on a fielding error by senior second baseman Lawren Hayes and advanced to third on a throwing error by senior catcher Jada Henderson. Kiester proceeded to score on a passed ball, accounting for the first unearned run.
Chargers head coach Les Stuedeman said before the game that scoring runs early could help the Chargers’ defense stay focused, mentioning the importance of routine plays. The Chargers were 3-2 entering the series against the Spartans.
“We didn’t do that last weekend,” said Stuedeman, referring to her team’s previous games, “and against that kind of competition you get embarrassed.”
Lauren Fantone, senior left fielder, led the bottom of the eighth with a base hit for the Spartans, advancing to third after a bunt attempt by Kiester led to a throwing error by junior third baseman Alexa Douthitt. Fantone scored the winning, unearned run from Sulte’s sacrifice fly for a 2-1 final score.
The game may have been much shorter. Galhouse, who was also batting, hit a ball to deep center field with two outs. The centerfielder mishandled the ball, and Galhouse was able to advance to third. When rounding third to go home, Galhouse tripped and had to hold short of scoring what may have been an inside-the-park homer.
“I know, not my best moment, but it’s fine,” Galhouse said.
“I just was hoping that didn’t come back to be the reason we didn’t win,” said coach Kanter, “so I’m glad we were able to pull it off after that.”
UTampa softball begins conference play next weekend with a three-game series against Saint Leo University, starting with a 6 p.m. Friday night game on Feb. 14. The series concludes with back-to-back games on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. before UTampa softball travels to Lynn University for their next weekend conference series.
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Thumbnail Image Caption: Senior pinch runner Devin Hammonds leading off of second base. Photo courtesy of Terry Hunsicker.