Tampa Tops Initial South Region Poll, Remains No. 1 in Pair of National Rankings
TAMPA, Fla. - With a 32-8 record and 12-6 showing in Sunshine State Conference play, the University of Tampa baseball team continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in two of the four national polls and is No. 1 in the NCAA Division II South Region poll.
Among the four polls, Tampa is ranked No. 1 by College Baseball Lineup and D2 Baseball News. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has the Spartans at No. 2 while the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of American (NCBWA) lists UT at No. 3.
The Spartans also carry the top ranking in the initial NCAA regional release, as the top eight teams in the region will receive a bid to the 2012 NCAA Division II tournament. Additionally, the top team in the region also has an advantage in hosting its respective regional.
Tampa has been particularly impressive on the mound, with a team earned run average (ERA) of 2.41. UT has 10 of its 11 pitchers with a sub-4.00 ERA and four below 2.00.
The Spartans are now ranked third in the nation in team ERA, and are second in lowest walks per nine innings at 2.26. Additionally, UT's .800 winning percentage is sixth in the country.
Among individuals, Eric Grabe is sixth in the nation with seven sacrifice flies and Preston Packrall is now 26th with seven saves. Ben O'Shea is also 14th in walks allowed per nine innings at 1.06.
UT has been ranked the entire season and has now been represented in the national poll for a program-record 124 consecutive weeks.
With two SSC series remaining in the regular season, the Spartans will travel to Eckerd College for a weekend set beginning Friday at 7 p.m. A 1 p.m., Saturday doubleheader will conclude the series. Live stats will be available through TampaSpartans.com.
Click here for the NCAA Division II Regional poll
Click here for College Baseball Lineup poll