TAMPA, Fla. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (3-10) fought hard against the No. 3-ranked Tampa Spartans (13-0), ultimately falling 6-3 and 8-0 in five innings on Tuesday Afternoon at the Naimoli Family Softball Field. 
 
Tampa scored a pair of runs in the first and three in the second inning of game one to take a 5-0 lead that held until the fourth inning.
 
Riley Kramolisch opened the fourth inning with an infield single, followed by singles from Shelby Bloemendaal and Jillian Noel to load the bases with nobody out, the first threat of the day for the Mustangs. 
 
Abby Boxrud would open the scoring with an RBI groundout, and Bloemendaal scored a few pitches later on a wild pitch to cut into the Spartan lead, 5-2. 
 
The Mustangs left a pair of runners on in the fifth, and Tampa was able to get a run back with a sac fly in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-2 lead. 
 
After a leadoff double from Noel in the sixth, Molly Bull brought her home with a sharp ground ball to the second baseman that was misplayed into the outfield. 
 
The scoring ended there, as Morgyn Otte fought out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth, and the Spartans collected a double play to close the game in the top of the seventh.
 
Otte (1-3) battled against the No. 3-ranked Spartans, allowing six runs (all earned) on 10 hits, walking three and picking up a strikeout. 
 
The Mustangs tallied seven hits, with Kramolisch going 3 for 4 and Noel picking up a pair of hits to lead the bats. 
 
The Spartans were in control throughout game two, scoring five runs in the first two innings, two runs in the fourth, and one in the fifth to close out the sweep. 
 
Karlie Miller (1-3) was dealt the loss, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing eight runs (two earned) on six hits and six walks while striking out two. 
 
Mariah Galhouse was stellar in the circle for Tampa in game two, allowing just two hits and striking out six in five innings of work. 
 
SMSU will take the field Thursday afternoon in Clermont, Fla., for games against Millersville and Pitt.-Johnstown starting at 1 p.m.