Grand Valley State Tops Tampa to Force Friday Semifinal

Box score

CARY, N.C. - The top-ranked University of Tampa (45-12) baseball team was shutout for the second time this season as Grand Valley State University (38-18) topped the Spartans 4-0 at the NCAA Championships.

The GVSU victory sets up a Friday meeting between the same two teams with the winner advancing to Saturday's national championship game at Coleman Field on the site of the US National Training Complex.

The Lakers struck for one in the second and added three unearned runs with two outs in the third inning to stay alive at the championships.

Freshman Brad Hencke (3-1) turned in an excellent performance for Tampa. The lefty threw UT's first complete game of the season and allowed just one earned run. Hencke gave up nine hits, finishing strong with just two hits allowed in the final four innings.

At the plate, Tampa had five hits on the day as Jacob Tillotson was 2-for-2 with a walk. GVSU starter Kyle Teague threw his second shutout of the series, striking out eight Spartans on Thursday.

The time for Friday's game will be determined following Thursday's national semifinal game between Minnesota State and St. Edward's.

Please visit TampaSpartans.com for complete information on UT baseball at the NCAA Championship Series.

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