Host Tampa Upset in Opening Round by Stillman

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The number eight seed Stillman Tigers earned a huge program win as it defeated the number one seed Tampa Spartans 6-5 in 13 innings during the first round of the 2012 NCAA Division II South Regional.

The win pushed the Tigers' win streak to 12 and snapped the six game win streak of the Spartans.

The Tigers (30-16) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Dion Bryant singled up the middle and scored when Paul Winterbottom singled to center field.

Tampa would answer in the bottom of the frame when Damon Elder scored on a bases-loaded walk.

Stillman would score again in the top of the second and third innings. In the second, T.J. Rock scored on a Casey Hall sacrifice bunt. In the third, Jarius Brown singled to reach base. Two batters later, Winterbottom would steal second as Brown stole home, giving Stillman a 3-1 lead.

Tampa would score a run in the bottom of the third inning, cutting the lead to 3-2 in favor of Stillman.

Stillman would widen the scoring margin in the top of the fifth. Brown would score on a throwing error and McCreless would double to score Landon Wilson.

In the bottom of the seventh, Tampa would score two runs. Eric Grabe would double before Heath Pritchard would single to right field two batters later, scoring the leadoff hitter. After a pitching change for Stillman, Tiger pitcher Tyler Colvert would get a strikeout before a Shane Rowland groundout would score B.J. Zimmerman.

In the bottom of the ninth, Stillman would get two outs and would have two strikes on the batter before Tyler Ding would triple to right center field, just outside of the reach of a diving Bryant. The hit would score Grabe, who walked to open the inning.

In the tenth and 11th innings, both teams would get base runners, but neither score could push runners across the plate. By the time the 12th inning had concluded, Stillman had stranded 12 runners while Tampa had left 13 men on base.

With a 1-2 count in the top of the 13th inning, Stillman got a one walk from Seth Booth and Bryant would reach on a fielder's choice. Brown was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. With a 1-2 count, Winterbottom would single to left field scoring Bryant, but Brown was caught in a rundown after making the turn at second.

In the bottom of the inning, Conner Obrochta opened the frame popping up to Colvert on the mound. With one out, Damon Elder laced a single through the left side. Andrew Jones would pop up to Winterbottom at third for the second out of the inning. With two outs, Grabe singled through the left side, moving Elder to second. Colvert then hit pinch hitter Adam Pendleton in the side to load the bases with two outs. A Heath Pritchard groundout to Brown at first would end the game and give Stillman the upset win.

Tyler Colvert (4-3) worked seven innings in relief for the win. He struck out seven and walked one while allowing four hits. Stillman starter Austin Leary worked three innings allowing four hits, two runs and three walks while striking out one. Tyler Vails worked three innings, allowing five hits, two runs and a walk while striking out one. Brown went 3-for-6 with two runs scored. Winterbottom went 3-for-6 driving in two runs.

For Tampa (38-9), Ben O'Shea took the lost in 2 1/3 innings of relief. He struck out four and walked two. Eric Luksis worked two innings allowing six hits, three runs and a walk while striking out one. Grabe finished the game going 4-for-5 with three runs scored.