Tampa Drops Game One Of Championship Series

Cary, N.C. - The University of Tampa's Baseball program began the 2025 Division II National Championship Series tonight with the game one of the best-of-three series. After a dramatic comeback in the semi final round earlier today, the Spartans turned right around to face Central Missouri. While neither team can win or lose the national title in game one, both teams understood the importance of setting the tone for the rest of the title series. 

Final: #1 University of Tampa Spartans 8, #2 University of Central Missouri Mules 9

Records: Tampa (52-10), Central Missouri (48-12)

Location: USA Baseball Training Complex l Cary, North Carolina 

All-Time Series: This was the 11th meeting all-time between these two elite programs. Despite the loss, Tampa still leads the series 6-5. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After a legendary comeback less than three hours ago, the Spartans stayed hot to begin the championship series. 2024 National Pitcher of the Year, Skylar Gonzalez, was handed the ball for game one and began his outing by going three-up-three-down. After scoring five runs in the ninth inning last game, Tampa's lineup continued to produce in the bottom of the first. The Spartans sent eight batters to the plate and combined for four hits. More impressive, the Spartans did all their damage after the first two outs were recorded. J.D. Urso got the rally started with a single up the middle before Kevin Karstetter drew a walk. Both of these baserunners came in to score when the next batter, Edgardo Villegas, singled to right field which was bobbled by the Mules outfield. With Villegas advancing to third on the mishandle, he was able to score when the next batter Kevin Karstetter singled through the left side for a 3-0 lead. Cole Russo singled up the middle to add another hit to the parade but the Mules finally got out of the inning before any more damage could be done. After jumping out to an early lead, Skylar Gonzales kept rolling in the early stages of this game. He tossed another perfect 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second before throwing up another hitless frame in the third. The Spartans offense did produce baserunners over these two innings but were unable to add more run support. Tampa's 3-0 lead was cut into when the Mules finally got on the board in the top of the fourth. UCM only needed one swing to bring home two runs after an infield hit scored on a two run home run. Gonzalez worked around some other traffic but kept the Spartans in front 3-2. Not wasting any time to respond to the Mules' runs, Santiago Garavito was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Maddox King reached base when his bunt attempt was thrown down the right field line. With runners in scoring position, Nico Saladino muscled a base hit over the UCM short stop allowing both Garavito and King to score. While the Mules were able to again stop the Spartans from breaking the game open, the two RBI singles from Saladino pushed the lead back to three runs at 5-2 Tampa. In the top of the fifth, Skylar Gonzales settled back in, not allowing a hit as he produced his fourth scoreless frame of the day. Back out for the top of the sixth, Gonzalez dealt with some traffic on the bases but once again was able to bear down and throw up another scoreless inning for Tampa. Not settling for a three run lead, Nico Saladino and Brayden Woodburn each drew walks to start the bottom of the sixth. Edgardo Villegas stayed hot at the plate, barreling a fastball for a RBI single and the Spartan advantage was now 6-2. The Mules were not going to give Tampa an easy game one win, quickly getting on the board again in the top of the seventh to chase Gonzalez. After UCM scored early in the inning to cut the lead to three, the Mules brought another run home on a two out single up the middle. With the bases loaded, Tampa turned to Robert Satin who did his job and escaped the bases loaded jam with a huge strikeout. After having their four run lead cut to 6-4, The Spartans were unable to respond in the bottom of the seventh. The Mules continued to heat up at the plate and led off the top of the eighth with a base hit past the diving Woodburn at second base. This led to the UCM offense loading the bases for the second but this time capped it off with a grand slam to take the lead. Michael Alfonso entered the game for the Spartans and was able to end the big inning but the Mules did enough damage to now lead 8-6. Trailing for the first time in this contest, the SPartans put two hard swings on balls in an attempt to earn baserunners. However, the UCM outfield robbed J.D. Urso of a homerun and Brayden Woodburn's line drive was caught by the second baseman who got a great read. In the top of the ninth, Central Missouri was able to manufacture another run to push the chase number to three for the Spartans, leading. Despite being down to their final three outs and behind 9-7, there was no panic in the Tampa dugout. Edgardo Villegas left the yard for the third time in Cary, leading off the ninth with a solo blast over the right field wall. After the lead was cut to two, Kevin Karstetter ripped a line drive into left field for a single. The next batter, Cole Russo, followed his teammates lead and singled up the middle to bring the winning run to the plate with no outs. With runners on the corners, Jhoander Irigoyen had a productive at-bat, a sacrifice fly to score Karstetter and make the scoreline 9-8. On the same play, the Mules were able to double up the trail runner at first base and while the run came in to score, Tampa was down to their final out. Central Missouri collected the final out of the contest before another Spartans could reach base and to win game one and take a 1-0 lead in the championship series.  

AT THE PLATE:

• Edgardo Villegas - 3-4 HR, 3 RBI

• Brayden Woodburn - 2-4, RBI

• Kevin Karstetter - 2-4, RBI 

ON THE MOUND:

• Skylar Gonzalez  - 6.1 IP, 6 H, 6 SO, 4 ER

• Michael Alfonso - 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 SO, 1 ER

UP NEXT: The Spartans and Mules will meet again for game two of the championship series, tomorrow (6/7/25) at 12:00pm. With Central Missouri winning game one, they can lock up the national championship with a win in game two. Should Tampa take game two to tie the series, the third and final game will be played 45 minutes after the completion of game two.