Top-ranked Tampa (49-8) totaled seven runs in the first three innings Friday to roll past West Florida, 9-4, and capture the best-of-three NCAA Super Regional on its home field.
The Spartans will seek their 10th national title — and second in a row — when the NCAA Division II Championship Series commences next weekend in Cary, North Carolina.
Graduate third baseman J.D. Urso, who had a two-run double in an 8-1 romp Thursday in Game 1, highlighted Friday’s early onslaught with a two-run home run in the first inning. Five of the Spartans’ nine starters had at least two hits, led by catcher Santiago Garavito’s three.
Senior right-hander Skylar Gonzalez scattered three runs off seven hits in six innings to earn his 10th win of the season. Senior righty Jacob Fletcher allowed one run in the final three innings for his sixth save.
The Spartans are trying to become the nation’s first Division II program with 10 national titles. Nearby Florida Southern also has nine crowns but didn’t qualify for this year’s championship series.
