Hot Hitting Lifts Spartans at Baseball Championships

Box score

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The number-one ranked University of Tampa (51-10) baseball team is now one victory away from a return to the NCAA II national championship game after a 9-2 win over the University of Nebraska-Omaha (37-23).

The game began with each team tacking on a first inning run, with UT striking first on a two-out double by Roberto Mena that scored Craig Corrado following a triple by the Spartan rightfielder.

With the game tied 1-1, UT took a 4-1 lead after a three run third inning. Tampa capitalized on walks to both Junior Mejia and Ryan Kennedy as Craig Corrado and Jose Jimenez were each credited with an RBI to drive Mejia and Kennedy in. The Spartans added the third run of the inning on an RBI single by Chris Rosenbaum.

After UNO scored a run in the fourth, Tampa put the game out of reach with a three run fifth and a two run sixth to conclude the scoring on the night. Rosenbaum had a two-run single in the fifth while Paul Cruz accounted for the other RBI in the inning.

UT's sixth inning runs came via a two-run homer by Roberto Mena that easily cleared the left field wall to also score Corrado.

Ross Jackson got the nod on the mound for UT, pitching seven innings to improve his record on the season to 9-5. He allowed two runs while striking out six and walking none.

Johnny Williams and Craig Benner each added scoreless innings in relief for the Spartans as Williams struck out the side for a perfect eighth inning.

Mena and Rosenbaum were the Spartan stars on offense as each drove in three runs. Mena finished a perfect 4-4 as the shortstop also scored three runs.

The next game for UT will be on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m against a team to be announced. For the complete championship bracket, please visit http://www.vstateblazers.com/montgomery/gameinfo/gamecenter.html.