TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa struck for three runs in the bottom of the first and Deanna Henriott helf off Midwestern State the rest of the way as Spartans claimed Game 2 of Thursday night's doubleheader at the UT Softball Field.

Henriott, the Tampa ace, improved to 6-1 by limiting MSU to a pair of earned runs on eight hits while striking 10 and walking three.

Spartans' leadoff hitter Michele Horan legged out a bunt single to start a three-run rally off of MSU starter Ashley Kuchenski in the bottom of the first inning.

Horan stole second, was sacrificed to third then scored on Krystal Crooks' sacrifice fly to center field to give Tampa a 1-0 lead.

The Spartans took advantage of MSU third baseman Kristen Stonecipher's throwing for two more as Jessica Keefe, who was on via a double, scored when Jessica Tejas reached on the error that should have been the third out of the inning.

Tampa's Cassie Barnes followed with a run-scoring triple to give the Spartans a 3-0 advantage through one inning.

The Spartans would add runs in the fourth and fifth innings before Midwestern State scratched a pair of runs across in the seventh.

But the Mustangs did create scoring opportunities as they would leave nine runners on base.

MSU couldn't cash in on a two-on and one-out situation in the third inning, then left the bases loaded in the fifth.

Lauren Craig, who was 3-for-3 with three singles, led off the fifth with a hit before Lindsey Voigt, who 3-for-4 doubled and Maranda Bishop walked to load bases.

But the three- and four-hole hitters couldn't produce as Stonecipher popped out to short and Jessica Rodriguez grounded out to end the threat.

Rodriguez did account for an RBI on a sacrifice in the seventh and Amanda Potysman drove in the other run with a single.

Kuchenski suffered the loss to fall to 2-1 after allowing three earned on nine hits while striking out three and walking one.

Midwestern State (7-5) opens the Eckerd College Spring Invitational against Palm Beach Atlantic Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. (CST).

Tampa improved to 9-3.