No. 4 Spartans Lead Eckerd 15–3 Before Weather Suspension; Joe Urso Needs One Win For 1,100
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The No. 4 University of Tampa baseball team built a commanding 15–3 lead over Eckerd before play was suspended due to weather in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday at the Turley Athletic Complex. As a result, game one of the doubleheader will resume Sunday at noon, followed by the final game of the series.
Tampa scored 15 runs on just seven hits while drawing 11 walks, capitalizing on opportunities and sustained offensive pressure. The Spartans' 10-run seventh inning proved to be the decisive stretch before weather halted play.
University of Tampa head coach Joe Urso currently sits a 1,099 career wins, just one shy of another historic milestone win.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score (Suspended): Tampa 15, Eckerd 3 (Top 9)
Records: Tampa (37–7, 23–2 SSC), Eckerd (28–15, 16–9 SSC)
Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a game that remained tight through the middle innings, Tampa gradually built momentum before erupting late.
The Spartans opened the scoring in the third inning on an RBI single from Jhoander Irigoyen. He added a solo home run in the sixth to extend the lead to 2–0.
Eckerd responded in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run home run from Christian Cabina to even the score at 2–2.
Tampa answered decisively in the seventh inning, putting together a 10-run outburst. The rally featured a mix of patience and power, including bases-loaded RBI sequences, a two-run double from Jesse Ponce, and a three-run home run from Jack Martinez to push the lead to 12–2.
After Eckerd plated a run in the seventh, the Spartans added insurance in the eighth as Ponce launched a three-run home run to extend the margin to 15–3.
Play was halted in the top of the ninth due to inclement weather.
ON THE MOUND
B.J. Bailey delivered a strong start, going 6.0 innings while allowing two runs on three hits with five strikeouts.
Tobin Moran worked 2.0 innings in relief, allowing one run while striking out three to maintain control late.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Jhoander Irigoyen: 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 3 runs, 2 BB — sparked the offense early and throughout
- Jesse Ponce: 2-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, double — game-breaking production
- Jack Martinez: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI — key blow in seventh inning
- Gunnett Carlson: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 runs — consistent presence
- Jordan Evans: 1-for-4, 2 runs — table-setter at the top
- Dennis McCaffery: 2 runs, 2 BB — ignited seventh-inning rally
- Walker Vanecek: RBI, 2 BB — productive at-bats
- Brayden Woodburn: RBI, 2 BB — contributed in big inning
UP NEXT
The game will resume Sunday at noon at the Turley Athletic Complex in St. Petersburg, beginning in the top of the ninth inning.
The second game of the scheduled doubleheader will begin shortly after the conclusion of game one on Sunday.