Tampa Defeats Catawba 15-5 in Regional Baseball Final
May 21, 2006

Courtesy Tampa Sports Information Office

Tampa, Fla. – The top-ranked team in the nation, University of Tampa (50-6), moves on to the NCAA Division II World Series with a 15-5 victory over the #3 seed in the South Regional, Catawba (47-14).

For the second time in regional play, Tampa lost the coin toss to determine the home team. Ryan Kennedy led the game off with a single to right field and moved to second a pitch later as Craig Corrado laid down a sacrifice bunt. Orlando Rosales then singled to right and Kennedy moved to third. It seemed like Tampa was going to score at least one run in the inning but mistakes on the base paths cost the Spartans. Lee Cruz flew out to right, but Kennedy didn’t tag, remaining on third. Then, Rosales fell victim to Catawba pitcher, Paul Link’s pick off move, ending the inning.

Catawba took advantage of Tampa errors in the bottom of the second. Mark Smith started the inning off by reaching on an error by Kennedy. With one out, Nick Lefko reached on an error by Roberto Mena. After Zach Evans flew out to center, Chad Baker walked. Dave Thomas then ripped a double to left center clearing the bases. Matt Smith singled to center scoring Thomas four the fourth run of the frame, all unearned.

Corrado led off the top of the fourth with a homerun to left center, his fourth of the season. Two batters later, Cruz crushed his 23rd homer of the season with his own solo shot to left center. Jose Jimenez walked then Wimberly picked up his second single of the day. JR Hopf then reached on a fielder’s choice to first, but Aaron Rimer tried to go to second to start the double play, but it went wide, leaving everyone safe. After a fly out by Mena, Troy Ferguson came to the plate with the bases loaded. On a one ball, two strike count, he turned on the offering from Link and drove it half way up the protective netting in right, for a game changing grand slam, his fifth homerun of the season. Kennedy then walked and Corrado singled for his second hit of the inning. Rosales then doubled to left center, driving in Kennedy. In all, Tampa scored seven runs on six hits in the inning.

In the fifth, Jimenez, Wimberly, and Hopf all led off with singles and they all scored. Corrado had a two RBI single in the frame, extending Tampa’s lead to 15-5.

Rosales, Cruz, Jimenez, Hopf and Mena each had RBI in the ninth as Tampa scored five runs for a 15-4 score.

Catawba added a run in the ninth as Thomas drove in Chad Baker for the final run at 15-5.

Aaron Cook came in relief of Williams in the fourth and completely shut down the powerful Catawba offense. Tossing five innings, giving up no runs and striking out five.

Craig Benner pitched the ninth, closing the game.

Tampa’s Lee Cruz was honored as the 2006 NCAA South Regional MVP while the all-tournament team consisted of catcher Matt Smith (Catawba), first baseman Jose Jimenez (Tampa), second baseman Casey Coleman (Florida Gulf Coast), third baseman Billy Wimberly (Tampa), shortstop Roberto Mena (Tampa), outfielders Jerry Sands (Catawba), Troy Ferguson (Tampa) and Craig Corrado (Tampa), designated hitter Lee Cruz (Tampa) and pitchers Blake Ketner (Catawba) and Aaron Cook (Tampa).