BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Lynn University baseball team traded punches with Sunshine State Conference foe No.1 Tampa on Sunday afternoon, but a five-run seventh inning proved to be the difference as the Fighting Knights dropped an 11-6 decision in the series finale. Despite a 13-hit performance that featured two home runs and aggressive base running throughout, Lynn slipped to 8-9 overall and 0-3 in SSC play while the Spartans used a late power surge to secure the series sweep.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Tampa opened the game with a leadoff single in the first, but Lynn turned a sharp 6-4-3 double play to erase the threat and keep the Spartans off the board
- The Fighting Knights struck first in the bottom half as Justin Lopez, Bryant Zayas and Scout Simpson loaded the bases with three singles. Joel Tapia-Melo brought home the game's first run on an RBI fielder's choice to give Lynn a 1-0 lead
- After a clean second inning from Lynn's pitching staff, Tampa capitalized on a defensive miscue in the third, tying the game 1-1 on a passed ball
- Lynn responded immediately in the bottom of the third when Zayas launched a solo home run to left center, putting the Fighting Knights back in front, 2-1
- Tampa surged ahead in the fourth, stringing together six hits in the inning, including a two-run homer and an RBI single, to plate four runs and take a 5-2 advantage
- The Spartans added another solo homer in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-2
- Lynn began to chip away in the bottom of the fifth as Zayas singled and Simpson followed with a two-run blast to right center, cutting the deficit to 6-4
- Amaris Harrison singled and stole second before Lopez delivered a base hit to move him to third. Zayas lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Harrison and trimming the margin to 6-5
- Tampa broke the game open in the seventh with a five-run inning fueled by three home runs and a sacrifice fly, stretching the lead to 11-5
- Lynn answered in the bottom half as Tapia-Melo worked a walk, stole third and came home on an RBI single from Jackson Tyer, making it 11-6
- The Fighting Knights had opportunities late, but Tampa's bullpen held firm over the final two innings to secure the 11-6 decision


FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Zayas led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and two RBI, while also adding a sacrifice fly
- Simpson finished 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and two RBI as part of Lynn's 13-hit attack
- Harrison paced the lineup with a 3-for-4 performance and swiped two bases, consistently putting pressure on Tampa's defense
- Tapia-Melo went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and two stolen bases, scoring once and sparking multiple scoring opportunities
- Lopez added two hits at the top of the order, helping set the tone early for the Fighting Knights
- Tyer delivered an RBI single in the seventh inning to cap Lynn's scoring effort
- On the mound, Lynn utilized six pitchers in the contest, with Chase Wills and Allan Jorge combining for 2.2 scoreless innings in relief to close out the game
- As a team, Lynn totaled 13 hits, two home runs and five stolen bases, but Tampa's 16-hit, five-homer performance proved to be the difference in the 11-6 final

UP NEXT:
Lynn will be back in action at home next weekend when it hosts Molloy on Saturday, Mar. 7 at 10:30 am.