No. 1 Tampa Opens Up Playoff Run with a Win Over Albany State

TAMPA, FL. – The #1 University of Tampa Spartans open up their NCAA regional run, beating Albany State behind twelve hits.

Final: #1 Tampa 10, Albany State 2

Records: #1 Tampa (44-7), Albany State (30-21)

Location: UTampa Baseball Field | Tampa, FL. 

All-Time Series: This was the 21^st meeting between these two programs. The Spartans are 17-4 against the Golden Rams. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Edgardo Villegas led off the inning by drawing a walk. After stealing second, Villegas would come around to score later in the inning, scoring on a passed ball. Mike Valdez reached first base, striking out on a wild pitch. With two outs, Cole Russo was plunked with a pitch, and Maddox King drew a walk to load the bases for the Spartans. Jordan Williams followed with a walk to bring home Valdez. End 2 | 2-0 Tampa
• Valdez led off the inning with a single to left field. With one out, Russo singled to right field to give the Spartans first and third. Valdez and Russo pulled off a double steal on a pickoff attempt to bring home Valdez. End 4 | 3-1 Tampa
• With one out, J.D. Urso doubled down the left field line. After an out, Jhoander Irigoyen singled to left field to bring home Urso, and Irigoyen would advance to second on the play. After Valdez drew a walk, Irigoyen and Valdez advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch. Kevin Karstetter then singled to center field to bring home Irigoyen and Valdez. End 5 | 6-1 Tampa
• J. Williams led off the inning with an infield single to the Golden Ram's shortstop. After stealing second base, J. Williams came around to score via a Nico Saladino single down the right field line. However, he was out at second trying to advance 90 feet on the play. Urso followed with a single to left center. Villegas followed with a single to the Golden Ram's shortstop. After Urso and Villegas pulled off a double steal, Irigoyen hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Urso. Valdez followed with a double down the left field line to bring home Villegas. End 6 | 9-1 Tampa
• Urso doubled to left center to lead off the inning. After a Villegas walk. Irigoyen singled to load the bases for the Spartans. Valdez then grounded into a double play, but Urso would score on the play. End 8 | 10-2 Tampa

AT THE PLATE: 

• Urso: 3-5, SB, & 3 R's
• Valdez: 2-4, BB, SB, RBI, & 3 R's
• Irigoyen: 2-4, 2 RBI's, & R
• Villegas: 1-3, 2 BB's, 2 SB's, & 2 R's
• J. Williams: 1-4, BB, SB, RBI, & R
• Russo: 1-2, BB, & 2 SB's
  

ON THE MOUND: 

• Jake Stipp started on the mound. He threw 6 innings, striking out 6 while giving up 1 earned run. Stipp received his 10^th win on the season, improving to 10-0.
• Eli Thurmond came in relief for Stipp. He threw 3 innings while giving up 1 earned run. Thurmond received his 3^rd save of the season in doing so.

UP NEXT: The #1 Spartans will host the regional winner's bracket final as they take on Mississippi College tomorrow, May 16^th, at 5:00 PM.