Irigoyen’s Grand Slam, Glanton's Gem, Power Spartans to NCAA South 2 Regional Championship

TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Tampa baseball team captured the NCAA South 2 Regional championship Saturday night with a 9–2 victory over Rollins College at Tampa Baseball Field.

With the win, the Spartans improved to 44–8 overall and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional round for a best-of-three series against the winner of the South 1 Regional. Tampa will face either West Florida or Lee, who play on Sunday to determine the South 1 champion.

The NCAA Super Regional is scheduled for May 21-23, with the series winner advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 9, Rollins 2
Records: Tampa (44–8), Rollins (36–16)
Location: Tampa Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Tampa broke through in the second inning with three runs to seize early control.

Jake Books opened the inning with a double before Walker Vanecek lined an RBI single through the right side. Luke Fikar followed with an RBI single of his own, and Jack Martinez added another run-scoring hit to extend the lead to 3–0.

Rollins answered with a run in the bottom half, but the Spartans delivered the decisive blow in the fourth inning.

After Jesse Ponce doubled and Nik Pereira walked, Tampa loaded the bases for Jordan Evans, who singled home a run. Two batters later, Jhoander Irigoyen launched a grand slam to left field, pushing the Spartans' lead to 8–1 and energizing the home crowd.

Rollins added a run in the fifth inning, but Tampa answered once again in the eighth as Brayden Woodburn doubled home Evans to cap the scoring at 9–2.

The Spartans closed the game behind strong pitching and defense to secure the regional championship.

ON THE MOUND

John Luke Glanton turned in another strong postseason performance, improving to 12–2 after allowing two runs over 7.0 innings while striking out four.

Luke Fikar was dominant out of the bullpen, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings and allowing no hits while striking out one to close out the regional-clinching victory.

TOP PERFORMERS

Jhoander Irigoyen: 1-for-5, HR, 4 RBI — delivered decisive grand slam in fourth inning
Jake Books: 3-for-5, double, run scored — paced offense with multi-hit effort
Jordan Evans: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 runs, 2 BB, stolen base — constant offensive spark
Walker Vanecek: 2-for-5, RBI — key early run production
Luke Fikar: 2-for-5, RBI; 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R — impacted game both offensively and on the mound
Brayden Woodburn: double, RBI — added insurance run late
Nik Pereira: 3 BB, 2 runs scored — reached base repeatedly
Jack Martinez: 1-for-4, RBI — contributed during early scoring rally
Jesse Ponce: double, run scored, walk — helped ignite fourth inning

Pitching:
John Luke Glanton (W, 12–2): 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 K
Luke Fikar: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K

NOTES

Tampa totaled 13 hits and drew six walks in the regional championship victory.

The Spartans outscored opponents 26–9 during the South 2 Regional and remained unbeaten throughout tournament play.

UP NEXT

Tampa advances to the NCAA Super Regional round and will host a best-of-three series May 21-23 against the winner of the South 1 Regional.

The Spartans will face the winner of Sunday's matchup between West Florida and Lee to determine the South 1 champion.