TAMPA, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers swept a Sunshine State Conference softball doubleheader from the Tampa Spartans on Sunday, winning game one 4-1 and taking the finale 5-1.
Neither team could muster any offense for the first three innings of game one, but the Bucs (30-16, 14-7 SSC) finally got on the board in the fourth inning. Amanda Goelz singled up the middle and came home on a triple by Natalie Heeley. Jessica Tabor made it 2-0 with an RBI single.
In the bottom of the inning, the Spartans (25-11, 12-7 SSC) got one back, but a great throw from Amber Durkin kept them from tying the game. Ashley Arcuri led off with a single and Michelle Horan followed with a walk. Both moved up on a wild pitch, putting runners at second and third. Kallan Casey ripped a single up the middle to score Arcuri, but Durkin gunned down Horan at the plate.
Defensive miscues cost the Spartans a pair of the runs in the fifth. The Bucs loaded the bases with not outs on a walk to Durkin and singles by Brittany Anderson and Shyla Rider. After an unsuccessful squeeze attempt erased Durkin, Spartan starter Heather Van Landingham uncorked a wild pitch to score Anderson and Rider came home when catcher Becky Vyzas threw the ball away.
Brianna Smith (10-7) earned the win with 4.1 innings of work for the Bucs. She allowed a run on two hits, walked three and struck out five. Amber Jack earned the third save of the season and 10th of her career by striking out six over the last 2.2 scoreless innings. She walked one, but did not allow a hit.
Heather Van Landingham (8-3) went the distance for the Spartans to take the loss. She allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four.
In game two, the Bucs struck earlier. Jessica Tabor drew a two-out walk in the second inning and came home on a wild pitch by Deanna Henriott (16-8).
They got another single run in the fourth when Heeley doubled and went to third on an error, then came home when Tabor pushed a bunt over UT third baseman Sara Jallo’s head on a squeeze.
They broke the game open in the fifth. Rider and Grace Collins singled to start the inning. Ashley Likens followed with a two-run double and Heeley made it 5-0 with an RBI double to score Likens.
Jack (20-9) finally allowed a run in the series but finished with a complete-game victory. She allowed five hits and struck out four. Henriott took the loss again for the Spartans. She allowed all five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk in five innings, while striking out two.
The Bucs host Rollins in the final SSC series of the year next Saturday and Sunday.
(04/19/09 at Tampa, FL)
(Game 1)
Barry 3, Tampa 0
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Barry................. 000 220 0 – 4 6 0 (29-16, 13-7 SSC)
Tampa............. 000 100 0 – 1 2 2 (25-10, 12-6 SSC)
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Pitchers: Barry – Brianna Smith, Amber Jack (5) and Brittany Anderson. Tampa –Heather Van Landingham and Becky Vyzas.
Win-Brianna Smith (10-7) Loss-Heather Van Landingham (8-3). Save- Amber Jack(3) T-2:00
Weather: Exquisite
(Game 2)
Barry 5, Tampa 1
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Barry................... 010 130 0 - 5 9 2 (30-16, 14-7 SSC)
Tampa............... 000 001 0 - 1 5 3 (25-11, 12-7 SSC)
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Pitchers: Barry - Amber Jack and Brittany Anderson. Tampa - Deanna Henriott;
Heather VanLandingha(6) and Becky Vyzas.
Win-Amber Jack(20-9) Loss-Deanna Henriott(16-8) T-1:45 A-125
Weather: Mellow