MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers and Tampa Spartans split s Sunshine State Conference softball doubleheader on Friday, with the Spartans taking game one 3-0 and the Bucs bouncing back for an 8-1 win in the nightcap.
The Bucs (13-10, 7-4 SSC) broke out the bats in the second game, rapping out 13 hits, including four from Kristina Pazienza and three from Megan Copeland and Lynsey Duncan, to win 8-1. The Bucs scored in five of their six innings.
They loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. Dee Espinosa drove in Kayla Ogle with a ground out and Duncan knocked in Cheyanne Head with a base hit up the middle.
In the second, Alayna Gallagher singled to right to lead off. Kayla Ogle dropped down a bunt and beat it out, but Tampa catcher Erin Matich sailed the throw to first allowing Gallagher to advance to third. After a steal by Ogle, Copeland singled to left center to drive in both runs.
The Spartans (12-9, 5-6 SSC) plated their sole run in the third. Cristina Clauberg singled and scored on a base hit by Mak Dooley.
In the bottom of the third, Ashley Fernandez was hit by a pitch by Dooley (5-4) and scored ahead of a bases-loaded walk to Copeland.
In the fourth, Duncan had a one-out double to center field over the head of Sahrina Cortes. She came home on Pazienza's first homer of the year.
The Bucs tacked on a final run in the sixth. Duncan again had a one-out double and Pazienza cashed her in with a base hit through the left side.
Anieliese Palmeiro (5-2) held the Spartans to a run on four hits and three walks. She struck out two in the complete game. Dooley took the loss for the Spartans. She went the distance, walked three and struck out five. Seven of her eight runs were earned.
The Spartans took game one 3-0. Alyssa Bache (7-4) shutout the Bucs on three hits and a walk, while striking out 10. Geneva Santos (8-5) took the loss for Barry. She allowed three runs on four hits and four walks and struck out three.
Bache drove in Cortes in the third with a single and Bre Setree hit a two-run homer in the fifth to account for the Spartan runs.
The Friday split sets up a rubber game at 10:00 am on Saturday.