Gentry, Marvin

The 2006 University of Tampa baseball team was loaded with talent from top to bottom. The team won a school record 54 games. Five players were selected in the major league draft, Lee Cruz was named the Division II player of the year, Sergio Perez hurled a no hitter against Barry University; and Roberto Mena became the first Spartan to hit for the cycle.

But it was a clutch performance from backup catcher Chris Rosenbaum that gave the Spartans their fourth Division II National Championship–their first since 1998.

Rosenbaum, who had not recorded a single at bat in the previous three games of the college World Series, stepped to the plate to pinch-hit for third baseman Charley Raley in the top of the tenth inning. With two on and two out, Rosenbaum hit a line drive into right field scoring Cruz from third giving UT a 3-2 lead. Tampa would hold onto the lead and went on to defeat the Chico State Wildcats (California) in one of the most exciting championship games.