Williams Tosses Eight Innings to Give No. 1 Tampa Series Opener over Sharks
April 4, 2025
TAMPA, FL. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans take the series opener against Nova Southeastern behind CJ Williams, tossing eight strong innings.
Final: #1 Tampa 3, Nova Southeastern 1
Records: #1 Tampa (27-6, 11-2 SSC), Nova Southeastern (14-14, 7-6 SSC)
Location: UTampa Baseball Field | Tampa, FL.
All-Time Series: This was the 82nd meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 59-23 against the Sharks.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Cole Russo led the inning off with a double to left center and would come around to score on a pass ball. End 3 | 1-0 Tampa
- Mike Valdez hit a ground ball to the Shark's third base man who overthrew the first baseman. Valdez advanced to second on the play. With one out, Russo singled to right field to bring home Valdez. End 5 | 2-1 Tampa
- Brayden Woodburn led off the inning with a walk. Jhoander Irigoyen followed laying down a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt to advance Woodburn to second. On the play, Woodburn took advantage of an un occupied base and had fantastic base running taking third base with nobody covering the bag. Woodburn would then come into score on a wild pitch. End 8 | 3-1 Tampa
AT THE PLATE:
- Russo: 2-4, R, & RBI
- Woodburn: 1-1, 3 BB's, & R
ON THE MOUND: - C.J. Williams started on the mound. He threw 8 innings while striking out 4 and giving up 1 earned run. Williams received the win and improved to 7-2 on the season.
- Ryan Stefiuk came in relief for Williams. He threw two outs in the ninth and struck out a batter.
- Jacob Fletcher came in relief for Stefiuk. He got the final out to pick up his third save on the season.
TO WATCH:
- J. Williams: Has 49 stolen bases. Three stolen bases away from tying Eddie Cowans's single-season stolen base record of 52 in 1982.
History:
- J.D. Urso's record-breaking on-base streak has come to an end at 169 career games.
UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will be back tomorrow, April 5th, as they take on a doubleheader to wrap up their series hosting Nova Southeastern. Game one will start at 1:00 PM. Game two will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.