MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The top-ranked Barry University softball team (40-6, 17-4 SSC) suffered a pair of 2-1 losses to the Tampa Spartans (31-11, 14-7 SSC) on Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Field.
Every time the Buccaneers appeared to one-up the Spartans, or at least match scores, Tampa seemed to have the answer each time to pick up the pair of wins over the top-ranked Bucs. Despite the two losses, Barry still claimed the Sunshine State Conference title with a series win over Nova Southeastern last week.
In the first game, Likens picked up her 50th RBI on a sacrifice fly to plate Shyla Rider who led the inning off with a walk. With a 1-0 lead heading into the second, Tampa responded with a pair of runs of their own to reclaim the lead. Barry’s Megan Young sat down the first two batters, but the Spartans managed to load the bases and then Ashley Arcuri singled to drive in the go ahead run. That was all Tampa needed for the win.
Heather VanLandingham (10-4) struck out six in the win for the Spartans, while Young (10-4) was tagged for the loss after allowing two runs and striking out seven. Cristina DeTagle went 2-for-3 to lead the Bucs at the plate, while Arcuri was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI to lead Tampa.
In the nightcap, Tampa took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning scoring on three hits. Sam Becker drove in the Spartans lone run in the inning with an RBI single. Barry managed to tie the game in the bottom of the second when Young belted her fourth homer of the year to straight away center.
With the score tied 1-1, Tampa recorded another three-hit inning that resulted in a single run to reclaim the lead. Arcuri led off with a single and later scored on a Crystal Crooks RBI single to account for the run. That was all Tampa needed to take the series two games to one. It was the first series the Buccaneers have lost all season.
Deanna Henirott (21-7) picked up the win for Tampa allowing just one run on three hits and three strikeouts. Amber Jack (26-2) suffered only her second loss of the year allowing two runs on nine hits and struck out five. Arcuri scored both runs for Tampa after going 3-for-4 at the plate, while teammates Michelle Horan and Becker each recorded two hits apiece. Brittany Anderson went 2-for-3 to lead the Buccaneers.
The series wrapped up regular season play for both teams and both will await a NCAA South Region tournament berth to be announced May 5, 2008.
Game 1
Tampa 2, Barry 1 (04/26/2008 at Miami Shores, Fla.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tampa............... 020 000 0 - 2 3 1 (30-11, 13-7 SSC)
Barry............... 100 000 0 - 1 4 0 (40-5, 17-3 SSC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Tampa - Heather VanLandingha. Barry - Megan Young.
Win-Heather VanLandingha(10-4) Loss-Megan Young(10-4) T-1:45 A-0
Game: SB0426A
Game 2
Tampa 2, Barry 1 (04/26/2008 at Miami Shores, Fla.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tampa............... 101 000 0 - 2 9 2 (31-11, 14-7 SSC)
Barry............... 010 000 0 - 1 3 1 (40-6, 17-4 SSC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Tampa - Deanna Henriott. Barry - Amber Jack.
Win-Deanna Henriott(21-7) Loss-Amber Jack(26-2) T-1:30 A-217
HR BUS - Megan Young (4).
Game: SB0426B