MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Brittany Anderson hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth with two outs to lead the top-ranked Barry University softball team (40-4, 17-2 SSC) to a 3-2 extra-inning Sunshine State Conference win over the Tampa Spartans (29-11, 12-7 SSC) on Friday night at Buccaneer Field.
Anderson finished the game going 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI, while Cristina DeTagle hit a set of singles to finish 3-for-4. Shyla Rider drove in the Bucs’ other run and Amber Jack (26-1) scattered five hits and allowed two runs over eight innings and struck out nine to earn the win for Barry.
The Buccaneers contained all the excitement for right at the very end and pulled out a one-run victory in dramatic fashion. Megan Young led off the eighth with a double, which was followed by a single to right center by Natalie Heeley. She advanced to second on the throw leaving first base open for Deanna Henriott to intentionally walk Amanda Goelz to load the bases.
At first glance, fans questioned the Spartans move, but Henriott managed two quick outs getting the force at the plate on the next play followed by a strikeout. With the outfield playing shallow on the lefty Anderson, she ripped a two strike pitch over the head of Cassie Barnes in centerfield to score the game-winner.
It was a seesaw battle up to that point with the Spartans taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth when Jessica Tejas belted a line drive solo homer. However, Barry scored twice in the bottom of the same inning to answer and regain the lead, 2-1. Ali Perantoni reached on the leadoff single and Anderson drove in the tying run with an RBI double. Rider followed with an RBI single that plated Anderson for the go ahead run.
The Spartans replied with another run in the top of the sixth to tie the game 2-2. Brandi Blout led off with a double. Ashley Carrea pinch ran and was sacrificed to third by Ashley Arcuri. Michele Horan followed with a one-out RBI single to plate the tying run.
Heading into the fifth, both teams combined for four innings of four-hit shutout ball. However, Barry managed to scatter seven of their 10 hits over the final four innings, while Tampa recorded four in the same frames.
Henriott (20-7) was tagged for the loss giving up three runs and striking out three in 7.2 innings of work, while Horan and Tejas drove in the Spartans runs.
Both teams will return to action on Saturday at 1 pm at Buccaneer Field to close out the three-game SSC series and regular season play. It will also be senior day for the Bucs as they recognize their four seniors Holli Davis, Cristina DeTagle, Ali Perantoni and Danielle Rezendes.
Barry 3, Tampa 2 (04/25/2008 at Miami Shores, Fla.)
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Tampa............... 000 011 00 - 2 5 0 (29-11, 12-7 SSC)
Barry............... 000 020 01 - 3 10 0 (40-4, 17-2 SSC)
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Pitchers: Tampa - Deanna Henriott. Barry - Amber Jack.
Win-Amber Jack(26-1) Loss-Deanna Henriott(20-7) T-2:08 A-123
HR UTS - Jessica Tejas (5).
Game: SB0425