MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers fell 4-1 to the ninth-ranked Tampa Spartans in the opener of their Sunshine State Conference softball series at Buccaneer Field on Saturday.
The Bucs (15-7, 2-2 SSC) jumped on top 1-0 in the third inning on Kristina Pazienza’s solo homer, only to see the Spartans (16-3, 8-2 SSC) respond with three homers over the last two innings to take the game.
Jenna Halper knotted the game at 1-1 in the sixth with a solo shot. In the seventh, Megan Burke hit a leadoff homer to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead. After a one-out double by Lindsay Dring, Katelyn Raatz hit a two-run insurance shot.
Kayla Cox (8-2) went six innings to pick up the win for Tampa. She allowed just one hit, Pazienza’s homer, and walked one while striking out nine. Julia Morrow allowed one hit in the seventh and struck out one to earn her second save of the season. Taylor Sabol took the loss in a complete-game effort. She allowed five hits and struck out three.
The series concludes with a doubleheader on Sunday starting at noon.
(03/15/14 at Miami Shores, FL)
Tampa 4, Barry 1
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Tampa............... 000 001 3 - 4 5 0 (16-3, 8-2 SSC)
Barry................... 001 000 0 - 1 2 0 (15-7, 2-2 SSC)
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Pitchers: Tampa - Kayla Cox; Julia Morrow(7) and Kandi Kuder. Barry - Taylor Sabol and Alexis Kent.
Win-Kayla Cox(8-2) Save-Julia Morrow(2) Loss-Taylor Sabol(5-4) T-1:20 A-83
HR UT - Meagan Burke (3); Katlyn Raatz (1); Jenna Halper (1).
HR BARRY - Kristina Pazienza (1).
Weather: radiant