Tampa Welcomes Nova Southeastern For SSC Series

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Baseball team is back in action this weekend as it welcomes Nova Southeastern University for a three-game Sunshine State Conference series. The NSU Sharks are the defending SSC Champions. UT enters the game with a record of 20-1 and is 6-0 in conference play. NSU enters the weekend at 12-10 and 3-3 in SSC play.

Last time out Tampa faced off against the University of Bridgeport on Monday night. The Spartans came out swinging as they scored 14 runs in the bottom half of the first inning, as they cruised to a 17-4 victory over the Purple Knights. Cody deNoyelles led the charge in the game as the senior went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, and six RBI. His homer came in the first inning, where he hit a grand slam to ignite the offense.

On the season, Casey Scoggins is leading UT in hitting as the center fielder is hitting .470 with 39 hits on the season. His hits include five double and a nation-leading seven triples. Laz Rivera is hitting .455 and leads the team with 40 hits so far this season and leads the team with 12 doubles. He ranks second in the conference in both categories. Adrian Chacon has also contributes to the Tampa offense, as the first baseman leads the country with seven sacrifice flies.

On the mound, the Tampa pitching staff boasts the best earned run average in the SSC, as they have a team ERA of 3.22. The pitching staff has allowed 169 hits this season, which is tied for the fewest hits allowed in the SSC. The Spartans have four pitchers with ERA's under 2.30, with Chris McCormick leading the team with a 1.61 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched. Michael Calkins leads the team with 29 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.

Last time out, NSU faced sixth-ranked Southern New Hampshire in Fort Lauderdale. The Sharks pulled out the upset as they defeated the Penmen by a final of 10-5.

The Sharks are led by Michael Hernandez, who is hitting .367 with seven doubles, a triple, and five home runs. He also has driven in 18 RBI for the season. Daniel Zardon leads the team in hits, as he has peppered out 27.

Tampa leads the all-time series with Nova Southeastern 36-14. The two met last year for a three-game set in Ft. Lauderdale, in which NSU earned the series sweep. NSU won game one 7-6 on a walk-off single, they won game two 10-5, and won game three 7-6 on a walk-off homer. The teams then met in the NCAA Regional with Tampa winning by an 8-1 score.

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