Spartans Force Winner-Take-All Game Three For National Title

Cary, N.C. - The University of Tampa's Baseball team was back in action this afternoon for game two of the 2025 National Championship Series against Central Missouri. After coming up just short in game one, this contest becomes a "must win" for the Spartans in order to force a winner-take-all game three. 

Final: #1 University of Tampa Spartans 10, #2 University of Central Missouri Mules 9

Records: Tampa (54-10), Central Missouri (48-13)

Location: USA Baseball Training Complex l Cary, North Carolina 

All-Time Series: This was the 12th meeting all-time between these two elite programs. With the win in game two, Tampa takes a 7-5 series lead. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Game two of the national championship season did not start in the Spartans favor. After Tampa was held scoreless in the top of the first, the Mules offense exploded in the bottom half. Central Missouri led off the inning with back-to-back base hits before loading the bases with only one out gone. UCM cleared the bases with a three RBI double to take the lead then added another to go up 4-0 when the next batter singled to right field. No more damage was done but the Spartans were in a four run hole early in this contest. In the top of the second the Spartans earned their first hit of the game trying to respond to the UCM runs, but were unable to cut into the deficit. After the big inning in the first, Spartan starter Jake Stipp began to settle into the game. In the second inning he struck out the first two batters he faced en route to a 1-2-3 inning. Stipp continued to roll as the game progressed, keeping the Spartans within striking distance. He did not allow a run through the third and fourth innings while only giving up two hits. In this same span, the Tampa offense kept feeling out the UCM starter. While Tampa was still held scoreless through four innings they earned at least one base runner every inning. Using the momentum gained from the last few innings at the plate, the Spartans were able to get on the board in the top of the fifth. Jordan Williams singled and stole second to put himself in scoring position and the next batter Nico Saladino drove him in with a single of his own. Stipp tossed another scoreless frame in the bottom half and the Tampa offense went right back to work. With two outs already gone in the top of the sixth, Jhoander Irigoyen and Maddox King worked walks before Jordan Williams singled to load the bases. Nico Saladino came up big once again in this tournament, doubling down the right field line to clear the bases to tie the game at four. The seventh inning was the last inning of this contest that did not see either team score but it was followed by the inning with the most runs scored. In the top of the eighth inning, Maddox King and Jordan Williams both earned one out walks to set up another big swing from Nico Saladino. Saladino picked up his fourth and fifth runs batted in by ripping a line drive into left field to score both base runners and give Tampa a 6-4 lead. A batter later, Brayden Woodburn reached base via a walk to put more pressure on the UCM defense. Edgardo Villegas then hit a sky high flyball that was lost in the sun and fell allowing Saladino and Woodburn to score. However, as soon as Tampa took the lead 8-4, the Mules began to fight back. They started their half of the eighth inning with an unbelievable six straight singles, scoring four runs to tie the game before an out was recorded. C.J. Williams entered the game during the UCM hit streak and while he allowed two hits, worked through the traffic to keep the game tied at 8-8. No team is more comfortable with the game on the line then Tampa. In the top of the ninth, Jhoander Irigoyen led off the inning with a single and the Spartans were in business. Maddox King and Jordan Williams also reached on free passes to set up who else but Nico Saladino. The senior from Tampa drove in his sixth run of the game with a single to left field and the Spartans were back in front, 9-8. Jordan Williams added an insurance run by tagging up and scoring all the way from second base on a J.D. Urso sacrifice fly to deep center field. Now leading 10-8, the Spartans were three outs away from forcing a game three but the Mules did not make it easy. They traded outs for baserunners but had loaded the bases with two outs, putting the game-winning run at first base. However, Ryan Stefiuk came into the game and shut the door with a big time strikeout to keep the repeat title hopes alive for Tampa. 

AT THE PLATE:

• Nico Saladino - 4-6 2B, 6 RBI

• Jordan Williams - 2-3, 3 Walks, 4 Runs 

• Brayden Woodburn - 2-4, 2 Walks 

ON THE MOUND:

• Jake Stipp - 7.0 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 7 SO (5 Key Shutout Innings)

• C.J. Williams - 1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER (Picks up 15th win on the year, national leader)

• Ryan Stefiuk - 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 SO 

UP NEXT: Tampa stormed back in game two to force a winner-take-all game three against Central Missouri. The Spartans and Mules will play again at approximately 4:30pm this afternoon with the winner being crowned the 2025 National Champion.