
Spartans Overcome Early Deficit For Big Win at D2CWS
Cary, N.C. - The University of Tampa's Baseball team was back on the diamond this evening at the 2025 Division ll College World Series. After an elimination game win, the Spartans have moved into the national semifinals against Northwest Nazarene University. Having already picked up one loss in the tournament, the Spartans will have to beat the Nighthawks twice in a row to advance to the championship series.
Final: #1 University of Tampa Spartans 13, #5 Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks 5
Records: Tampa (52-9), Northwest Nazarene (46-15)
Location: USA Baseball Training Complex l Cary, North Carolina
All-Time Series: This was just the third meeting all-time between these two programs. With the win, Tampa takes a 2-1 lead in the series.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In their second straight game facing elimination, the Spartans were in a hole early. After being held scoreless in the top of the first, Tampa suffered a three run first inning at the hands of the Nazarene bats. The Nighthawks rattled off five hits in the bottom of the first to score those three runs, forcing the Spartans to pull their starting pitcher after .2 IP. Out of the bullpen, Jacob Fletcher was able to settle the game down after escaping a bases loaded jam. Down 3-0 early, there was no panic in the Tampa dugout. They got one back in the top of the second on a Jhoander Irigoyen RBI double then another run after Brayden Woodburn launched a solo home run in the top of the third. Nazaere added a run themselves off a solo shot of their own but the momentum was starting to shift in the ballgame. Entering the fourth inning and still trailing 4-2, Tampa exploded for their first four run inning of the game. Kevin Karstetter led off the top of the fourth with an infield single, advancing into scoring position on a throwing error. Kartstetter scored a batter later when Maddox King doubled down the left line and the lead was cut to one. The Nighthawks only lead lasted for two more batters as Jordan Williams doubled to score King from first before scoring on a single from Nico Saladino. Now leading 5-4, the Spartans loaded the bases for Jhoander Irigoyen who was hit by a pitch to bring home another run. Pitching with a lead for the first time, Fletcher continued to stymie the NNU offense, using the momentum created by his offense to toss three straight hitless frames (4th, 5th, and 6th). Tampa then broke the game open in the top of the sixth with their second four inning. This big inning was started by J.D. Urso who led off the inning with a single up the middle. Brayden Woodburn then reached to bring up Irigoyen who put a double off the wall to bring both base runners home. The next batter, Kevin Karstetter, barreled a ball to the left field foul pole for a two run home run and a 10-4 lead. After sparking a rally in the sixth, J.D. Urso left the yard in the top of the seventh with a deep solo shot to left field. Leading 11-4, Tampa started to collect outs with Ethan Brown taking the ball. Norwest Nazarene was able to scratch one run across but Brown was overpowering, striking out five batters in the top of the seventh and eighth. In the top of ninth, Tampa put the nail in the coffin as J.D. Urso scored after doubling to lead off the inning and Edgardo Villegas used his speed to leg out an inside-the-park homerun. Needing three outs and holding a 13-5 lead, Eli Thurmond entered to finish the game. Thurmond struck out the first two batters he faced and induced a weak flyball for the final out. The Spartans survive their second straight elimination game to force a winner-take-all game two in the semifinal round.
AT THE PLATE:
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All nine Spartan starters recorded at least one hit
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J.D. Urso - 3-5 RBI, HR
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Jhoander Irigoyen - 2-3 2B, 3 RBI
ON THE MOUND:
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Jacob Fletcher - 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
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Ethan Brown - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 5 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
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Eli Thurmond - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
UP NEXT: The Spartans will turn around and face Northwest Nazarene again tomorrow night with a trip to the championship series on the line. First pitch for this win or go home semifinal matchup is slated for 6:00pm and stream the game live on NCAA.com.