Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. –  The Southwest Minnnesota State softball team faced more tough pitching in a 7-1 loss to Tampa (FL) on Tuesday afternoon at Naimoli Family Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
 
In the third day of play for SMSU down in Florida, SMSU has faced three tough teams from the Sunshine State Conference, with Tampa being no exception.
 
Tampa returned to the field after sweeping No. 10 Florida Tech this past Saturday. No. 10 FIT swept SMSU the night before.
 
SMSU, now 4-5, had six hits, two errors, and four left on base while Tampa, now 13-9, had 12 hits, no errors, and 11 left on base.
 
The Spartans opened the game with an early lead scoring two in the bottom of the first inning. With two runners on base, the Spartans singled to bring in the first run of the game. Before the end of the first, the Spartans walked with bases loaded to finish the inning with a 2-0 lead.
 
Tampa returned in the second to advance the lead with a single to right to put up three runs after three complete.
 
SMSU held Tampa at bay in the third as the Mustang defense forced Tampa to go three up, three down.
 
Tampa earned two more runs in the fourth and fifth for a 5-0 lead before SMSU went on the board in the top of six from a single from Maddyson Schliinz scored on a single to left field to score Alex Reak. Reak had singled followed by a bunt from Lileya Kebos for two runners on base. The Mustangs stranded two to complete the top of the sixth trailing 5-1.
 
Megan Cull (2-2) started in the circle for her second loss this season. Cull threw the complete game with three strikeouts and had four walks.
 
Tampa's senior pitcher Makaleigh Dooley picked up her 11^th win of the season to improve to 11-5 after nine strikeouts and only allowing six hits.
 
In the bottom of 6, strung together two more runs to finish with a six-run lead.
 
The second game versus Tampa will take place later this afternoon.