Four Home Runs Power Tampa to Victory in NCAA Super Regional Opener

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The No. 2 seed University of Tampa baseball team opened the NCAA South Super Regional with a 13–6 victory over No. 1 seed University of West Florida on Thursday night at Jim Spooner Field.

The two-time defending national champion Spartans improved to 45–8 overall and now need just one more victory to advance to the NCAA Division II Championship Series in Cary, North Carolina.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 13, West Florida 6
Records: Tampa (45–8), West Florida (43–15)
Location: Jim Spooner Field | Pensacola, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After two scoreless innings, Tampa erupted for seven runs in the third inning to seize control of the series opener.

Jesse Ponce reached on an error to begin the rally before Jack Martinez delivered an RBI single to open the scoring. Brayden Woodburn followed with a run-scoring single, and Jake Books launched a three-run home run to right field to extend the lead to 5–0. Two batters later, Gunnett Carlson added a two-run homer to cap the explosive inning and give the Spartans a 7–0 advantage.

Tampa added another run in the fifth inning when Luke Fikar singled home Walker Vanecek, stretching the lead to 8–0.

West Florida responded with a pair of runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth, highlighted by two home runs from Trent Kelly, trimming the deficit to 9–5.

The Argonauts pulled within 9–6 in the seventh inning, but Tampa answered immediately. Jake Books delivered an RBI single in the eighth before Nik Pereira added another run-scoring hit to push the lead back to five.

The Spartans added two more insurance runs in the ninth, including a solo home run from Jesse Ponce and an RBI single by Jhoander Irigoyen, sealing the 13–6 victory.

ON THE MOUND

Robert Satin earned the win, improving to 12–2 after allowing five runs over 5.2 innings with four strikeouts.

Tobin Moran recorded a key out in relief during the sixth inning before Luke Fikar stabilized the game with 2.0 innings of relief, allowing just one run while striking out two.

Oscar Hernandez closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning to secure the win.

TOP PERFORMERS

Jake Books: 2-for-6, HR, 4 RBI — delivered pivotal three-run homer and late insurance RBI
Jordan Evans: 3-for-6, HR, 3 runs scored, stolen base — ignited offense throughout
Walker Vanecek: 3-for-5, 2 runs scored — consistent offensive production
Gunnett Carlson: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI — capped seven-run third inning
Brayden Woodburn: 2-for-5, RBI, walk — continued postseason success at top of lineup
Luke Fikar: 2-for-4, RBI at plate; 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 K in relief — impacted game both offensively and on mound
Jesse Ponce: HR, RBI, 2 runs scored, walk — key table-setter and late insurance
Jhoander Irigoyen: RBI single, walk, run scored — productive middle-order at-bats
Nik Pereira: pinch-hit RBI single in eighth inning — extended lead late
Jack Martinez: RBI single — opened scoring during decisive third inning

Pitching:
Robert Satin (W, 12–2): 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 K
Luke Fikar: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 K — shut down momentum late
Oscar Hernandez: 1.0 IP, 0 R — closed out victory

NOTES

Tampa totaled 18 hits and four home runs in the victory.

The Spartans have now won five consecutive NCAA Tournament games and are one victory away from advancing to the NCAA Division II Championship Series in Cary, North Carolina.

UP NEXT

Tampa and West Florida continue the NCAA South Super Regional on Friday at 7 p.m.

If necessary, game three of the best-of-three series will be played Saturday at 3 p.m.