By Terry Hunksicker
TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Tampa men’s baseball team won 8-0 over No. 15 Ashland University on Friday, Feb. 28, scoring five runs in the first two innings while pitching a shutout.
Graduate left fielder Jordan Williams had four base hits and stole four bases during the win, accounting for two runs and one RBI. Senior starting pitcher Skylar Gonzalez pitched six innings, striking out seven batters and allowing no runs on three hits and one walk.
“Great Friday night win against a damn good team,” said UTampa head coach Joe Urso.
Ashland University Eagles head coach John Schaly said the team experienced issues when flying to Tampa from Ohio. Their flight was delayed by an hour, not all their luggage arrived, and they only received one van instead of the expected four.
“We’re ready to play now. Travels done, we’re here, we’re ready to play,” said Schaly.
The UTampa Spartans stole seven bases during the game, four by Williams, two by senior third baseman Kevin Karstetter, and one by sophomore center fielder Maddox King. Four Spartans were caught stealing, and one was picked off while at second base.
“Their catcher was really good, and we knew that, but I didn’t want to stop,” said Urso. “I didn’t want to slow down what we’ve been working at.”
Williams said that he attempts to steal a base whenever he gets the opportunity.
“It works out sometimes, and sometimes it doesn’t,” Williams said. “Just not really having any fear out there.”
Williams was nearly picked off during the second inning, but he managed to steal second when the pitcher, senior starter Brendan Beaver, threw to the first baseman while Williams ran to second base. After junior second baseman Brayden Woodburn had walked, Williams scored on an RBI single from graduate shortstop J.D. Urso.
“I was like, Oh snap, oh snap, oh snap,” said Williams. “Then the ball just never came.”
The Spartans took an early lead in the first inning, scoring three runs, two unearned, after an error by Ashland junior second baseman Gavin Dobbels allowed Williams to advance to second and Woodburn to reach first base safely. J.D. hit in Williams with a single, and senior right fielder Edgardo Villegas collected two RBI with a single that gave Tampa a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Senior relief pitcher Eli Thurmond began the seventh inning for the Spartans, allowing one hit and one walk over the final three innings and striking out two batters. Gonzalez had thrown 93 pitches through six innings, despite allowing only four baserunners.
Senior first baseman Cole Russo and senior designated hitter Mike Valdez were pinch-hit for during the bottom of the eighth inning after both had gone 0-4 with three strikeouts at the plate. Graduate first baseman Joe Stella hit for Russo, hitting a double to right center field and scoring after a single by Villegas.
Freshman A.J. Graham hit for Valdez, striking out swinging. Urso said that he was looking to get Stella some at-bats, but others were hot at the plate.
The Spartans begin an eight-game road trip on March 7, traveling to face California State University San Marcos in a four-game series that ends on March 10. They then travel to face Sunshine State Conference opponent Palm Beach Atlantic University in a three-game weekend series on March 14–15 and finish the road trip on March 18 against Albany State University.
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Graduate left fielder Jordan Williams led off first base. Photo courtesy of Terry Hunsicker.