Broadcast Of Mike Blanke Grand Slam Earns Spot On Sports Illustrated Hot Clicks
TAMPA, Fla. - The excitement of University of Tampa baseball player Mike Blanke's grand slam that broke open a 3-2 game in the NCAA South Regional title game has been recognized as the Sports Video of the Day by Sports Illustrated's Hot Clicks.
The junior catcher from Palm Bay, Fla., came to bat in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and the Spartans owning a 3-2 lead in the deciding game of the NCAA South Regional. With a two-ball, one-strike count, Blanke connected on a home run that cleared the fence in left-center at the UT Baseball Field.
Tampa won the game by a 20-3 score as Blanke's grand slam fueled a 17-1 rally by the Spartans. He capped off the regional as the Most Valuable Player of the 15-game tournament.
The video was part of a webcast through www.tampaspartans.com and streaming partner www.caro.net. UT assistant sports information director Taylor Flatt called the play as Kyle Bennett was also part of the broadcast.
The Spartans advance to the NCAA Division II Championships where it will meet the University of Central Missouri on Saturday at 1 p.m., in Cary, N.C. The championship game of the eight-team event will take place on May 29.