Tampa Makes NCAA Baseball History with Third Straight National Championship

CARY, N.C. — The University of Tampa baseball program has once again etched its name into the NCAA record books.

The No. 2 Spartans defeated No. 1 West Chester University, 8-4, on Saturday afternoon at the USA Baseball National Training Complex to capture the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship, securing the program's NCAA-record 11th national title and becoming the first NCAA Division II baseball team to win three consecutive national championships.

Tampa completed the season with a 51-9 record and became the first NCAA baseball program to win three straight national championships since the University of Southern California captured five consecutive NCAA titles from 1970-74. The Spartans are just the second NCAA baseball program to accomplish the feat.

The championship is the third consecutive national title for head coach Joe Urso and the Spartans, who further extended their position as the most successful program in NCAA Division II baseball history.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: No. 2 Tampa 8, No. 1 West Chester 4
Records: Tampa (51-9), West Chester (48-12)
Location: USA Baseball National Training Complex | Cary, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Spartans wasted little time establishing control in the winner-take-all championship game.

Jesse Ponce ignited the offense in the opening inning with an RBI double to score Jordan Evans and give Tampa an early 1-0 lead.

Tampa added two more runs in the second inning as Brayden Woodburn and Jake Books delivered RBI hits, extending the advantage to 3-0.

The Spartans created additional separation in the fourth inning. Woodburn doubled home a run before Jhoander Irigoyen added a two-run double to push Tampa's lead to 6-0 and put the pressure squarely on the Golden Rams.

West Chester finally broke through in the fifth inning, but Tampa answered with another run in the sixth as Books drove in his second run of the afternoon.

The Golden Rams mounted a late push with two runs in the seventh and another in the ninth, trimming the deficit to 8-4, but Tampa's pitching staff closed the door and secured the historic victory.

As the final out settled into a Spartan glove, Tampa completed one of the most dominant three-year stretches in NCAA Division II baseball history.

ON THE MOUND

On short rest, John Luke Glanton delivered another poised postseason performance on the sport's biggest stage.

The right-hander worked 4.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out three. Glanton navigated multiple threats early and kept West Chester off balance while Tampa built its lead.

Luke Fikar once again proved invaluable out of the bullpen. The right-hander entered in relief and worked the final 4.1 innings, allowing three runs while recording critical outs throughout the middle and late innings.

Fikar earned the victory and finished an outstanding championship tournament that culminated with Most Outstanding Player honors.

TOP PERFORMERS

Jhoander Irigoyen: 3-for-6, double, 2 RBI

Brayden Woodburn: 2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, 2 intentional walks

Jesse Ponce: 2-for-4, double, RBI, 2 runs scored

Jake Books: 2 RBI, run scored

Jordan Evans: RBI, run scored

Luke Fikar (W): 4.1 IP, 3 ER in relief

John Luke Glanton: 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 K

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM HONORS

Tampa placed five student-athletes on the NCAA Division II National Championship Series All-Tournament Team.

Catcher: Jhoander Irigoyen, Tampa
First Base: Austin Stalker, West Chester
Second Base: Patrick Gozdan, West Chester
Third Base: Hunter Atkins, Catawba
Shortstop: Jesse Ponce, Tampa
Outfield: Brayden Woodburn, Tampa
Outfield: Carter Rust, West Chester
Outfield: Jake Books, Tampa
Designated Hitter: Kaston Mason, UT Tyler
Pitcher: Luke Fikar, Tampa
Pitcher: Kyle Lazer, West Chester

Most Outstanding Player

Luke Fikar, Tampa

Fikar earned Most Outstanding Player honors after starring both on the mound and at the plate throughout the championship tournament. He recorded victories in game one and game three of the national championship series while delivering several clutch offensive performances during Tampa's championship run.

NOTES

Tampa finished the season 51-9 overall and became the first team in NCAA Division II baseball history to win three consecutive national championships.

The Spartans captured their NCAA-record 11th national championship and their third title in as many seasons, following championships in 2024 and 2025.

Tampa has now won national championships in 1992, 1993, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The Spartans became the first NCAA baseball program since USC (1970-74) to win at least three consecutive national championships and just the second NCAA baseball program ever to accomplish the feat.

Under head coach Joe Urso, Tampa has won eight national championships and six 50-win seasons.

The 2026 championship marks Tampa's sixth national title in Cary and its eighth NCAA championship since 2006.

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RESULTS

Game 1: Tampa 7, West Chester 4 (10 innings)
Game 2: West Chester 12, Tampa 4
Game 3: Tampa 8, West Chester 4

DYNASTY CONTINUES

For three consecutive seasons, the road to the NCAA Division II baseball championship has ended with Tampa standing atop the sport.

From an NCAA-record 11th national championship to a historic three-peat unmatched in Division II history, the 2026 Spartans secured their place among the greatest teams college baseball has ever produced.