TAMPA, Fla. (May 19, 2022) – The Spring Hill College (SHC) Badgers baseball team opened the 2022 NCAA Division II South 1 Region Tournament with a 35-4 loss to the 2
nd-ranked University of Tampa (UT) Spartans at the UT Baseball Field on Thursday afternoon.
The 8
th-seeded Badgers (38-14) fell down 4-0 in the 1
st inning after a sac bunt by the top-seeded Spartans (41-10) was thrown away at 1
st base to plate two runs and a 2-run homer crept just inside the left field foul pole. A second infield error, an RBI-groundout, and a run-scoring single drove the UT lead out to 6-0 heading into the 2
nd inning.
A second 2-run homer for Tampa's Dan Sullivan was followed by a solo shot out of center by Jamarcus Lyons to make it 9-0 in the 2
nd inning. A 3-run, 1-out homer and a third infield error put the score at 13-0. Sullivan's third home run and Lyon's second made it 17-0 with 2 outs in the 2
nd inning.
Senior catcher
Daniel Seres brought in the first Badger run of the game with a single to left in the top of the 7
th inning and center fielder
Bryson Kirk followed with a run-scoring single to center.
Badger starter
Micah Morgan (3-1) took the loss in 1.1 innings with six hits and two walks as seven SHC pitchers combined to surrender 33 hits and nine walks with seven strikeouts. Morgan and shortstop
Norris McClure each collected two of the 10 Badger hits on the afternoon. Right fielder
Cade Simpson added a double with an RBI.
Michael D'Emo (2-0) earned the win in 5.0 innings of relief with five hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.
The Badgers will face the 4
th-seeded Valdosta State University (VSU) Blazers (30-15) in an elimination game at 11 a.m. (east) Friday on the UT Baseball Field.
