No. 2 Tampa Sweeps Doubleheader Behind Dramatic Ninth‑Inning Comebacks at Nova Southeastern
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The No. 2 University of Tampa baseball team completed a Sunshine State Conference doubleheader sweep at Nova Southeastern on Saturday at the NSU Baseball Complex, rallying late in both games to claim victories of 5–4 in 10 innings and 3–2.
The Spartans improved to 30–7 overall and 16–2 in SSC play, finishing the sweep with ninth‑inning comebacks in each game to take the series on the road.
Game 1: Tampa 5, Nova Southeastern 4 (10 innings)
Tampa erased a late deficit and walked it off in extra innings to open the doubleheader.
Nova Southeastern jumped out early with a first‑inning home run and later capitalized in the seventh and eighth innings to take a 4–2 lead. Down to their final three outs, the Spartans mounted a rally in the ninth.
Jordan Evans sparked the comeback with a solo home run, and Jake Books followed with a game‑tying homer to send the contest into extras. In the 10th, Walker Vanecek delivered the finishing blow, singling to left‑center to score Jhoander Irigoyen and complete the comeback.
On the mound, B.J. Bailey struck out a season-high 14 batters over seven innings to keep Tampa within reach, while Tobin Moran worked two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win.
Top Performers — Game 1
- Walker Vanecek: Walk‑off RBI single in the 10th.
- Jake Books: 3‑for‑3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
- Jordan Evans: HR, RBI — ignited the ninth‑inning rally.
- B.J. Bailey: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 14 K.
- Tobin Moran (W): 2.0 IP, 0 R in relief.
Game 2: Tampa 3, Nova Southeastern 2
The nightcap followed a similar script, with Tampa delivering once again in the ninth inning.
Nova Southeastern used an unearned run in the third and an RBI double in the fifth to take a 2–1 lead, while Tampa stayed close behind a strong start from John Luke Glanton. The Spartans tied the game in the fourth on an RBI single by Gunnett Carlson, setting the stage for another late finish.
In the ninth, Jordan Evans delivered the decisive swing, launching a two‑run home run to give Tampa its first lead of the game. The Spartans then shut the door in the bottom of the ninth to complete the sweep.
Glanton was outstanding on the mound, working 7.0 innings, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned), while issuing just one walk and striking out six. He consistently worked out of traffic and did not allow a multiple‑run inning. Cade Drohan finished the game with 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win.
Top Performers — Game 2
- Jordan Evans: Game‑winning two‑run home run in the ninth.
- John Luke Glanton: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 6 K — strong, efficient start.
- Gunnett Carlson: RBI single — accounted for Tampa's first run.
- Jesse Ponce: 2‑for‑3 — steady presence at the plate.
- Cade Drohan (W, 2–0): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K in relief.
Up Next
Tampa continues Sunshine State Conference play with a road series at Rollins College, beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m. at Alfond Stadium in Winter Park, Fla.