Players and staff from the 2025 Tampa Spartans National Championship-winning team, behind Fred E. Pollock and his wife, Jenatte. Photo courtesy of Hannah Walls.
The University of Tampa Spartans baseball team unveiled its 2025 national championship sign, dedicated a new video scoreboard, and defeated the University of Montevallo 8-0 in the home opener.
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By Jeremy Fishman
TAMPA, Fla. — The UTampa Spartans baseball team honored its 2025 national championship-winning team before their 8-0 home-opener win on Friday.
Part of last season’s team stood behind the pitcher’s mound as freshman student manager Nick Creek pulled the curtain to reveal the new 2025 championship sign in left field. The team then turned its attention to right-center field to watch the unveiling of the new “Fred E. Pollock ‘70” video scoreboard.
The new University of Tampa Spartans Baseball 2025 national championship sign. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Fishman.
The scoreboard is named in honor of Fred E. Pollock, class of 1970, and his wife, Jeanette, who have shown their support over the years through fundraising and attending games.
“None of the success that we have had for this many years would be possible without the support of many, and they have led that charge,” said Joe Urso, head baseball coach.
Nico Saladino, former Spartan infielder and recipient of the 2026 Hindman Wall Spartan Warrior Award, threw out the first pitch before the game. Saladino is part of a family legacy at UTampa. His grandfather, a 1958 graduate, was very active in the Hillsborough County baseball community before his passing in August. He founded the Saladino Baseball Tournament and the Tony Saladino Baseball Award, which is given out to the top high school baseball player in Hillsborough County.
Nico Saladino said throwing out the first pitch was a meaningful way to honor his grandfather.
“It means the world to be able to continue that legacy and then do it for my grandfather,” said Nico Saladino.
Following the pregame events, the Spartans took the field behind Robert Satin, junior starting pitcher. Satin set the tone early, striking out the side in the top of the first.
Robert Satin pitching in the 2026 home opener against the University of Montevallo. Photo courtesy of Hannah Walls.
Jesse Ponce, junior shortstop, jump-started the Spartans’ offense early with an infield single against Zach Wyatt, junior starting pitcher for Montevallo. Brayden Woodburn, senior second baseman, followed with a 112 mph single to left field. Jake Books, senior designated hitter, brought both runners in on a double into the right-center field gap. Walker Vanecek, junior first baseman, hit a dribbler through the hole on the right side, allowing Books to score as he came stumbling into home plate. The Spartans ended the first inning with a 3-0 lead.
In the top of the second inning, Satin continued to pitch well, striking out the side in consecutive innings. Wyatt held the Spartans scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the third, Satin struck out the first two batters he faced, totaling 8 in a row to start the game. Montevallo put their first ball in play on a groundout to second base to end the inning. The Spartans added one more run to their total in the bottom of the third on an RBI single from Javi Soto, junior outfielder.
Satin added two more strikeouts in a hitless fourth, and the Spartans added two more runs on a 407-foot home run by Jesse Ponce, bringing the score to 6-0.
“[I want to] just keep swinging it well and keep seeing it well,” said Ponce. “[I’m] just trying to get on base and trying to help the team win.”
In the fifth, Satin struck out the first batter and induced a flyout to left field. Junior second baseman Caleb Karll ended the perfect game bid with a single before Satin recorded strikeout number 12.
“I was just throwing the ball over the plate,” said Satin. “It’s a good feeling knowing you can throw whatever and you’re going to get outs.”
Urso credited Satin for setting the tone of the game early.
“He pitched ahead, strike one over and over again, and he pounded the ball in on their right-handers,” said Urso.
The Spartans loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and scored via a wild pitch and an RBI walk to Woodburn, making the score 8-0 where it would stay for the rest of the game.
Alex Laiche, junior relief pitcher, and Tobin Moran, senior relief pitcher, finished the game on the mound, combining for 4 innings pitched, 3 hits, and 2 strikeouts.