TAMPA, Fla. — Barry University’s baseball team ran into some strong pitching and a hot Tampa team Friday night, falling by a final of 10-0 in the first of a three-game set between the conference rivals. The Bucs (15-15, 8-5 SSC) and Spartans have accounted for the last three Sunshine State Conference titles with Barry winning in 2009 and 2011.
In the early going, Tampa jumped out in front after scoring two runs in the bottom of the first off Buccaneer starter Kevin Youst.
The No. 1 ranked Spartans loaded the bases in the frame, but were held to just two runs on an unconventional strikeout, throw-out double play on a ball that reached the backstop. Catcher Luis Arrizurieta tracked down the ball. His throw to the plate got past Youst, who was covering home, and rolled all the way to third base, where James Young tagged out Eric Grabe for the final out of the inning to get Youst of trouble.
In the third, Tampa added another pair of runs on a home run, off the bat of Andrew Jones, and an RBI single by Zach Gawrych to extend the deficit to 4-0.
Youst (1-3) allowed five runs in four innings of work.
Trailing by six in the seventh inning, the Buccaneers loaded the bases on a pair of hits and a hit batsman, but Ben O’Shea bounced back with a pair of strikeouts to end the threat.
The Bucs managed just seven hits as they weren’t able to get to O’Shea all night. James Young and Sam Halpern led the Buccaneer offense with two hits apiece. Michael Slabach, Lyndon Coleman and Harold Holness each chipped in a hit on the night as well.
Barry will look to bounce back from Friday night’s loss Saturday when they wrap up the three-game set with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Live-stat and video broadcast will be available, just follow along at Barry University’s athletics website, GOBARRYBUCS.COM.