Woodburn's Two Home Run Game Advances No. 1 Spartans to Regional Final

TAMPA, FL. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans beat Albany State to advance to the NCAA South regional final.

Final: #1 Tampa 25, Albany State 4

Records: #1 Tampa (45-8), Albany State (31-22)

Location: UTampa Baseball Field | Tampa, FL.  

All-Time Series: This was the 22^nd meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 18-4 against the Golden Rams. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Jordan Williams led off the inning with a single through the left side and then stole second. After an out, J. Williams stole third and then came around to score on a J.D. Urso sacrifice fly to right field. After a two-out Brayden Woodburn single, Woodburn stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Golden Ram's catcher. Edgardo Villegas followed with a walk. With first and third, the Spartans caused chaos on the base paths, executing a double steal that would bring home Woodburn. Mid 1 | 2-0 Tampa
• With one out, Cole Russo doubled down the right field line and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kevin Karstetter followed with a walk and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Then, with two outs, Nico Saladino singled down the right field line to bring home Russo and Karstetter. After stealing second base, Saladino would come into score on an Urso single. Urso would make it all the way to third on the play due to a throwing error by the Golden Rams' left fielder. Woodburn followed with a 2-run bomb to left center. Mid 2 | 5-0 Tampa
• After Jhoander Irigoyen led off the inning with a single, Mike Valdez was plunked with a pitch, and Russo drew a walk to load the bases up for the Spartans to begin the inning. Karstetter, J. Williams, Saladino, and Urso followed, drawing four straight walks to bring home Irigoyen, Valdez, Russo, and Karstetter. Woodburn then followed with a three-run double to right center to clear the bases and get home J. Williams, Saladino, and Urso. After an out, Irigoyen singled through the right side to bring home Woodburn. Mid 3 | 15-0 Tampa
• After Karstetter drew a walk and stole second to lead off the inning, J. Williams singled through the right side and then stole second to give the Spartans two runners in scoring position. Saladino followed with a double to left center to bring home Karstetter and J. Williams. Urso followed with a double down the right field line to bring home Saladino. Woodburn unloaded for his second blast on the afternoon this time taking a pitch the other way over the right field wall. With one out, Irigoyen singled to center field. Valdez was then plunked with a pitch. Joe Stella then singled to left field to load the bases up. Karstetter then doubled to right field to bring in two Spartans. Jake Griffith followed with a single down the right field line to bring home Stella and advance Karstetter to third. Saladino followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Karstetter. Mid 4 | 24-0 Tampa
• With two outs, Irigoyen singled back up the middle, and then he advanced to second on a passed ball. Lenny Ashby doubled down the right field line to bring home Irigoyen. Mid 5 | 25-0 Tampa

AT THE PLATE: 

• Woodburn: 4-4 (2 HR's), 2 SB's, 4 R's, & 7 RBI's
• Irigoyen: 4-6, 3 R's, & RBI
• Saladino: 2-3, SB, 3 R's, 6 RBI's, & BB
• Urso: 2-2, BB, 3 R's, & 4 RBI's
• J. Williams: 2-3, 3 SB's, BB, 3 R's, & RBI
• Griffith: 2-3 & RBI
• Karstetter: 1-3, SB, 3 BB's, 4 R's, & 3 RBI's
  

ON THE MOUND: 

• Brayden Heidel started on the mound. He threw 3 scoreless innings, striking out 4. Heidel ended with a no-decision on the day.
• Corey Lyle came in relief for Heidel. He threw 3.2 innings, striking out 4 while giving up 4 earned runs. Lyle received his first career win in his outing.
• Carson Caso came in relief for Lyle. He threw 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out 1.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will take on Mississippi College at 5:00 PM today for the regional final. If the Spartans win, they must take on Mississippi College at 1:00 PM tomorrow to advance to Super Regionals