Tampa Looks to Repeat as SSC Champions; Maintain Top Spot in Region

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 3 University of Tampa baseball team will host Lynn University for a crucial three-game series to wrap up the 2013 regular season.

The teams will open the series on Friday at 6 p.m., with Saturday's doubleheader set for a first pitch of 1 p.m., at the UT Baseball Field. A total of 11 Spartan seniors will also be honored between games on Saturday as part of Senior Day.

Tampa is now 36-10 on the season, and winners of six of its last seven contests. The Spartans recently grabbed two of three from Nova Southeastern, following a three-game sweep over Eckerd. In all, UT has won all seven Sunshine State Conference series to date.

The Spartans currently sit atop the SSC, a full two games ahead of Florida Tech and three ahead of this weekend's opponent. One victory will clinch the second straight league crown for Tampa and the 15th in program history.

Tampa is also ranked first in the NCAA South Regional rankings, ahead of the 2013 NCAA South Regional. The top team in the region is considered the favorite to host the regional, which is scheduled for May 16-19. A total of six teams will earn a selection from the region, with automatic bids being awarded to the champions of the SSC, Gulf South Conference and Southern Intercollegiate Conference.

Tyler Ding leads Tampa with a .370 batting average while Michael Danner (.369) and Jacob Tillotson (.349) are among the team's top hitters. Jake Schrader has a team-high six home runs while Danner's 40 RBI are tops on the squad. As a team, the Spartans are hitting .318 with 37 home runs.

UT also boasts a team ERA of 3.43, with Matt Abramson (0.98) and Mike Adams (1.47) leading the way. Adams has been stellar in relief as the left-hander leads the team with 64 strikeouts in 49.0 innings of work. Caleb Kellogg and Adams have split closer duties, with each notching six saves.

Lynn brings a 30-17 overall record, though the Fighting Knights are coming off a series where they dropped two of three to Saint Leo. Prior to that series, Lynn were winners of four of their past five contests.

Jason Matusik leads the Fighting Knights with a .380 average to go with six home runs and a team-leading 43 RBI. Ryan Laskley leads the squad with eight home runs. Lynn has a team ERA of 3.31, led by starters Jed Vandernaald (2.33) and Kentrail Pierce (2.91). Fellow starter Joe Perrotta boasts a 3.55 clip as a total of four relievers have posted a sub-3.00 mark.

Tampa holds a 57-23 lead in the all-time series, though the Fighting Knights took two of three from Tampa in 2012 in Boca Raton. Prior to last season, UT had won six straight against Lynn.

UT will offer live stats and a video webcast for all games through TampaSpartans.tv.

Tickets will be available at the gate for $5. UT students and faculty/staff will be admitted for free with a valid student ID.

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