UT Baseball Prevails in 12 Innings to Take South 1 Regional

TAMPA, Fla. – The top-seed in the NCAA South 1 Regional, University of Tampa, played to a 12-inning victory over Nova Southeastern University to advance to the Super Regional.

Final Score: University of Tampa Spartans 3, Nova Southeastern University Sharks 2 (12 Innings)

Records: Tampa (44-11), Nova Southeastern (36-17)

Location: UT Baseball Field|| Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• UT grabbed the first lead of the game, scoring a pair in the top of the second. Jamarcus Lyons led off the frame and was hit by a pitch, followed by an Anthony Nunez walk and an infield single by John Malcom to load the bases. Lyons would come around to score on a wild pitch, as Nunez scored on a Jordan Lala RBI groundout.| Top 2: 2-0 Tampa
• A two-out rally in the third allowed Nova Southeastern to cut the lead in half.| Bottom 3: 2-1 Tampa
• The Sharks tied the game two innings later when Tyler Epstein took home on the ensuing throw from a dropped third strike. | Bottom 5: 2-2 Tie
• UT ended the inning with a double play, where the NSU baserunner left early on a sacrifice fly attempt. | Bottom 9: 2-2 Tie
• After starting the 12th with a pair of strikeouts, the Spartans received another clutch postseason hit from Lala to keep the inning alive. The next hitter, Drew Ehrhard, came through with another clutch hit, connecting on an RBI double to left center. | Top 12: 3-2 Tampa
• Entering his third inning of work after starting on Saturday, Haden Erbe retired the first two Shark hitters before allowing a pair to reach via walk and hit by pitch. Cameron Sereda received the call for the final out, securing the save as the first hitter he faced flew out to rightfielder E.J. Cumbo. | Top 12: 3-2 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Lala had three hits while driving in a run and scoring another from his leadoff spot.
• Dan Sullivan also had three hits.
• Ehrhard and Nunez each reached base twice.
• Erbe, who was the winning pitcher of Saturday's must-win Spartan victory, came off and 8.2 inning, 117-pitch out to earn the win to move to 12-1 on the year. He pitched 3.1 innings, striking out two and allowing just two hits.
• True freshman Alex Canney received the start and tossed 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.
• Brayden Nelson entered to escape the fifth inning as the Spartans ace reliever was also throwing after winning Saturday against Valdosta State in a 5.2 inning, 72pitch effort. He struck out two in just 0.2 innings of work.
• Michael Paul entered in an unfamiliar role, throwing 3.1 scoreless frames with just two scattered hits and four strikeouts.
• In five games at the regional, Sullivan hit .500 with five home runs and 14 RBI.
• Lala hit .417 in regional play as Nunez was .412.

UP NEXT: Tampa will now face Rollins College, who defeated Lee University to capture the South 2 Regional in St. Leo, Fla. The best-of-three series will begin with a single game on Friday in Tampa, and conclude Saturday with a doubleheader, if needed.