MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers took the rubber game of their Sunshine State Conference softball series from the Tampa Spartans 5-1 on Saturday at Buccaneer Field.

The Bucs (14-10, 8-4 SSC) jumped on top in the first inning. Kayla Ogle walked and scored on a single by Dee Espinosa. Lynsey Duncan followed with a triple to center to knock in Espinosa.

In the fourth, the Bucs took advantage of three Spartan errors to score three runs. Alayna Gallagher reached on a throwing error by shortstop Alyssa Colletti and scored on a fielder's choice by Megan Copeland. Cheyanne Head dropped a bunt single to score Ogle and Copeland came home on a throwing error by catcher Miranda Matheny.

Barry starter Geneva Santos (9-5) carried a shutout into the fifth inning, but left after walking the first two batters. Anieliese Palmeiro came on in relief and got out of the jam, though Alyssa Bache came through with an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-1.

Santos earned her team-leading ninth win, allowing a run on four hits and three walks in 4+ innings. Palmeiro worked the final three, allowing three hits, to earn her second save. Bache (7-5) took the loss for the Spartans (12-10, 5-7 SSC). She worked six innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks, while striking out six.

Ogle scored twice, Espinosa went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI. Duncan and Head also drove in one run.

The Bucs face league-leader Saint Leo on Thursday-Friday, Mar. 24-25 in a key conference matchup.