Defending National Champions Set to Open 2021 Campaign

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 1 University of Tampa baseball team returns to action for the first time since March 10, 2020, as it meets Saint Leo University in a three-game non-conference series beginning Friday in Tampa and commencing with a Saturday doubleheader at Saint Leo.

The Matchup: No. 1 University of Tampa Spartans vs. Saint Leo University Lions

2020 Records: Tampa (15-7, 4-2 SSC), Saint Leo (7-15, 2-4 SSC)

Dates/Times: Friday at 6 p.m. (at Tampa); Saturday at 1 p.m., Doubleheader (at Saint Leo)

Friday Location: University of Tampa Baseball Field | 601 North Blvd. | Tampa, Fla.

Saturday Location: Thomas B. Southard Stadium | Liberty Drive | Dade City, FL 33525

About the Spartans: The 2019 NCAA Division II national champions had their 2020 season cut short due to Covid-19. Head coach Joe Urso, in his 21st season at the helm of the Spartans, returns all nine starters from last season. The Spartans will look to replace ace starter Brandon Knarr and top reliever Jacinto Arredondo. Senior Nick Derr led all Spartans at the plate last season, slashing .353 with eight RBI to go with a .476 on-base percentage. Second baseman Drew Ehrhard led the team with 26 hits last season and will enter 2021 with 125 career starts as a Spartan. Centerfield Jose Cadenas led all Spartans with six home runs last year while first baseman Dan Sullivan drove in 19 runs. Junior Michael Paul leads the pitching staff after going 1-0 with a 0.44 ER in 20.1 innings last season. Braydon Nelson is also expected to lead the staff after throwing 29.1 innings last season with a 2-0 record and 2.15 ERA.

About the Lions: Fourth-year head coach Rick O'Dette returns his three top batting averages from a year ago including two seniors Sam Crail (.320/.440/.627) and Jake Vander Wal (.319/.442/.638). The pair combined for nine of the Lions 18 home runs last season while driving in a combined 39 runs. The batting average leader who is also returning for his fifth-year is Amir Wright, who has been a consistent force at the top of the Lions order for the past three seasons. On the mound, fifth-year senior Joey Antonopoulos and senior McCabew Sargent return to lead the rotation.

Series History: Tampa owns a 130-43 lead in the all-time series and is riding a 12-game winning streak against the Lions. The two teams have not met since March 16, 2019.

No Spectator Policy: The University of Tampa and Saint Leo University both adhere to the Sunshine State Conference no-spectAtor policy. No fans will be admitted for the games.

Game Coverage: Fans may watch live at TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are also available through TampaStats.com.

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Text Alerts: UT also offers a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.TampaSpartans.com.

Front Row: Download the official app of UT Athletics on the Apple or Android store. Look for Tampa Spartans Front Row app to receive notifications from your favorite Spartan teams. The app is completely free.