TAMPA - Roberto Valiente and J.P. Castro will not soon forget their University of Tampa debuts. Valiente and Castro each hit home runs in their first at-bats Saturday as the Spartans opened the season with a 5-4 win against Eckerd.
Castro, a junior rightfielder, went 1-for-3, hitting his home run in the second inning. Valiente, the Spartans' new centerfielder, opened the bottom of the first with his homer. Valiente went 2-for-4 and scored twice to earn the first Sunshine State Conference player of the week honor this season.
Also starting the season strong for UT were 1B Matt Armstrong and 3B Billy Wimberly. Armstrong's three-run homer proved to be the winner against the Tritons, and Wimberly added a double.
Spartans pitcher Eric Beattie was named the SSC pitcher of the week after pitching five innings and allowing seven hits, three runs and striking out three Eckerd batters. UT, ranked No. 1 in Division II, plays at Florida Tech on Wednesday before heading to Milledgeville, Ga., for a three-game weekend series against Georgia College & State.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Two weeks ago, UT was enjoying a four-game win streak, had won eight of nine and was near the top of the SSC standings. But a three-game skid has sunk the Spartans to 12-8 overall and 4-4 in the SSC.
Currently tied for fourth in the league, UT lost 74-64 at Barry on Saturday. The Spartans had four in double figures (James Mereus 19 points, Mark Borders 14, Jason Amos 11 and Rob Sargeant 10) but still lost by 10. The loss to the Buccaneers followed losses against Lynn (66-57) and rival Florida Southern (65-62) Jan. 20.
UT hosts Eckerd on Wednesday and plays at Nova Southeastern on Saturday.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: After their 61-52 loss to Barry on Saturday, the Spartans are 8-12 overall and 2-6 in the SSC. Despite losing five of six and plummeting in the league standings, the Spartans have had strong individual performances.
Senior forward Yushanda Morse, sophomore guard Juanita McClinton and freshman guard Shawtavia Mathis have performed well. In two games last week, Morse averaged 10 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and one block. In a nonconference road loss at Benedict, she had nine points, 10 rebounds and three steals. In UT's SSC loss at Barry, Morse posted her third double double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. McClinton and Mathis combined for 25 points in the Barry loss, and McClinton led all UT scorers with 16 points in the loss at Benedict. UT hosts Eckerd Wednesday and plays at Nova Southeastern on Saturday.
SOFTBALL: When the Spartans open their season Feb. 13 in Melbourne against Florida Tech, they'll do so with improved depth. With 12 players returning and the addition of nine newcomers, the Spartans will have strength in several experienced players.
The Spartans will be led by returning seniors Becky Testin (P/3B), Miki Stark (SS), Lacinda Norman (2B), Katy Bailey (1B), and Kristin Abbott (CF).
Juniors Kristin Law (P/1B) and Katie Bender (C), Melissa Holmes (P/OF) and Kyra Cockrum (OF) will start while junior transfers Kami Bird (IF) and Lynsey Justice (OF) likely will see plenty of playing time. Returning sophomores Nicole Fenno and Sara Hokin will provide depth in the outfield.
