Defending Champs Open NCAA Tournament With Win

TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Tampa baseball team opened NCAA South Regional play with an 8–4 victory over Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday afternoon at Tampa Baseball Field.

With the win, the Spartans improved to 42–8 overall and advanced in the winner's bracket of the NCAA South Regional. Tampa will face the winner of Rollins and West Alabama on Friday at 5 p.m.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 8, Trevecca Nazarene 4
Records: Tampa (42–8), Trevecca Nazarene (32–22)
Location: Tampa Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Tampa grabbed an early lead in the opening inning when Jordan Evans tripled to right-center before Brayden Woodburn brought him home with a sacrifice fly.

The Spartans added another run in the third inning as Jake Books delivered an RBI single following a Woodburn double to extend the lead to 2–0.

Trevecca Nazarene answered in the fifth inning with a two-run single from Jaxson Christ to even the game, but Tampa immediately responded in the bottom half.

After singles from Jhoander Irigoyen and Books, Walker Vanecek launched a three-run home run to left field to put the Spartans back in front 5–2.

The Trojans trimmed the deficit to one in the seventh inning, but Tampa created separation in the eighth. Luke Fikar opened the inning with a single before Evans added a hit and Woodburn moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.

Books then produced an RBI groundout before Nik Pereira delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double to right center, extending the lead to 8–4.

ON THE MOUND

Robert Satin earned the win, improving to 11–2 after allowing four runs across 6.2 innings while striking out six.

Luke Fikar was dominant in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts to record his seventh save of the season and close out the regional-opening victory.

TOP PERFORMERS

Walker Vanecek: 3-for-3, HR, double, 3 RBI, 2 BB — powered the offense with a go-ahead three-run homer
Jake Books: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, stolen base — delivered key run-scoring hits
Jordan Evans: 2-for-5, triple, 2 runs scored — sparked multiple scoring innings
Brayden Woodburn: 2-for-3, double, RBI, stolen base — continued hot postseason start
Nik Pereira: pinch-hit two-run double in eighth inning — provided late insurance
Luke Fikar: 2-for-4 offensively; 2.1 scoreless innings with 2 K and save — impacted game both ways
Jhoander Irigoyen: 1-for-4, 2 runs scored, intentional walk — table-setter in middle innings
Jack Martinez: 1-for-5 — added base hit and aggressive baserunning

Pitching
Robert Satin (W, 11–2): 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 K
Luke Fikar (Sv, 7): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K

NOTES

Tampa totaled 14 hits in the victory, including extra-base hits from Evans, Woodburn, Pereira, and Vanecek.

The Spartans improved to 42 wins on the season and remain in the winner's bracket of the NCAA South Regional.

Tournament information, schedules, and updates can be found at Tampa NCAA South Regional Central

UP NEXT

Tampa will face the winner of Rollins and West Alabama on Friday at 5 p.m. at Tampa Baseball Field in NCAA South Regional action.