Tampa Headed to College World Series After Win

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (42-9-1) will return to the NCAA II College World Series in search of their third straight title after rallying past Catawba College (43-18) 9-8 in the South Region championship game on Sunday.

The Indians struck early against Tampa starter Scott Chapman, collecting five runs in the first two innings. After back to back singles in the first from David Thomas and Chad Baker, the Tampa defense committed their first error of the tournament when they botched a double play ball allowing Thomas to score. They would add another run in the inning thanks to an RBI single from third baseman Craige Lyerly.

Three more runs would come across in the second off Champan to put Catawba up 5-0. The Spartans had a bases-loaded, no out opportunity the bottom half of the inning, but managed only one run on an RBI groundout by shortstop Rob Kane.

Tampa crept back into the game with a solo shot in the third by Jose Jimenez before a run-scoring single from Paul Cruz and an RBI groundout from Jesus Barroso in the fourth. The Indians added three runs in three innings off right-handed reliever Rick Hudson to keep Catawba on top before a big sixth inning by Tampa.

Freshman Jared Simon led off the inning with a double to center, followed by an RBI double from Cruz. It was Barroso that came up big again for the Spartans when he drilled his third home run of the tournament, fourth of the season, over the left field wall to pull Tampa within one.

In the bottom of the eighth with Matt Seabolt (3-4) on the mound, left-fielder Ryan Williams reached first base on an error by the Catawba shortstop before Jimenez just missed his second homerun of the game when he stroked one to deep center to give Tampa runners in scoring position with none out. Steven Broschofsky came up with an RBI fielder's choice, and Brett McKean followed with an RBI groundout to give Tampa a 9-8 lead.

Right-hander Daniel Foltz (7-0) entered in the sixth inning for the Spartans, tossing three innings of relief to pick up the win while closer Anthony Perez picked up his 17th save of the season, throwing a scoreless ninth.

Tampa will travel to Sauget, Ill. for the Div. II World Series in search of their third straight National Championship.

NCAA II Baseball South Region All-Tournament Team:

Catcher - Leo Alvarez, Tampa
First Base - Jose Jimenez, Tampa
Second Base - Jesus Barroso, Tampa (Most Outstanding Player)
Third Base - Craige Lyerly, Catawba
Shortstop - Chris Ahearn, Catawba
Outfield - David Thomas, Catawba
Outfield - Ryan Williams, Tampa
Outfield - Tyler Wynn, Carson-Newman
DH/Utility - Nolan Brannon, Tampa
Pitcher - Alex Fairweather, Catawba
Pitcher - Tim Holmes, Catawba