Late Rally Falls Short as Tampa Drops Midweek Contest to Valdosta State

TAMPA, Fla. — The No. 2 University of Tampa baseball team came up just short Tuesday night, falling 8–7 to Valdosta State in a back‑and‑forth midweek matchup at Tampa Baseball Field.
The Spartans slipped to 28–6 overall after leading through the middle innings before the Blazers erupted for five runs in the seventh to flip the game.

How It Happened

Valdosta State struck first in the opening inning, but Tampa quickly responded. In the second, Nik Pereira doubled to drive in Jhoander Irigoyen, and Jack Martinez followed with an RBI single to give the Spartans a 2–1 lead. Tampa added another run in the third on a sacrifice fly from Irigoyen, extending the advantage to 3–1.

After trading runs in the fourth and fifth, Tampa appeared in control following a two‑run double by Jake Books in the fifth inning that pushed the Spartans in front 7–3.

The game turned in the seventh. Valdosta State sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs, highlighted by a three‑run home run from Ryan Strachan, to take an 8–7 lead.

Tampa threatened late but was unable to bring across the tying run over the final two innings.

Top Performers

• Jake Books: 1‑for‑4, 2 RBI — delivered a key two‑run double in the fifth.
• Jhoander Irigoyen: 2‑for‑3, RBI, 2 runs scored — productive night at the top of the offense.
• Jack Martinez: 3‑for‑4, RBI — recorded three hits and drove in a run.
• Jesse Ponce: 1‑for‑3, RBI, 2 runs — scored twice and added a run‑producing hit.
• Jordan Evans: Reached base twice and drove in a run.

Up Next

Tampa returns to Sunshine State Conference play on the road, opening a three‑game series at Nova Southeastern on Friday, April 10, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the NSU Baseball Complex in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.