TAMPA, Florida (May 17, 2012) –
The number eight seed Stillman Tigers earned a huge program win as they
defeated the number one seed Tampa Spartans 6-5 in 13 innings during the first
round of the 2012 NCAA Division II South Regional.
The win pushed the Tigers' win streak to 12 and snapped the six-game win streak
of the Spartans.
"It was a great and landmark win for Stillman baseball," said coach Donny
Crawford. "We have been to the regional several
times prior and to come away with a victory against a tough Tampa program says
volumes about the program and the players who play for Stillman College."
The Tigers (30-16) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Dion
Bryant singled up the middle and scored when Paul
Winterbottom singled to center field.
Tampa would answer in the bottom of the frame when Damon Elder scored on a
bases-loaded walk.
Stillman changed the scoreboard again in the top of the second and third
innings. In the second, T.
J. Rock scored on a Casey
Hall sacrifice bunt. In the third, Jarius
Brown singled to reach base. Two batters later, Winterbottom
stole second as Brown took home, giving Stillman a 3-1 lead.
"We had several players have good at-bats at critical times tonight.
A lot of the guys from both teams battled some tough pitching though out the
game. I told our guys that if we play how we are capable of playing ...
that we could make some noise in this tournament."
Tampa scored a run in the bottom of the third inning, cutting the lead to 3-2
in favor of Stillman. Stillman increased the scoring margin in the top of the
fifth. Brown crossed home on a throwing error and McCreless doubled to
score Landon
Wilson.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tampa scored twice. Eric Grabe doubled before
Heath Pritchard singled to right field two batters later, scoring the leadoff
hitter. After a pitching change for Stillman, Tiger pitcher Tyler
Colvert would register a strikeout before a Shane Rowland
groundout would score B.J. Zimmerman.
In the bottom of the ninth, Stillman's defense recorded two outs and two
strikes on the batter before Tyler Ding would triple to right center field,
just outside of the reach of a diving Bryant. The hit would score Grabe,
who walked to open the inning.
In the tenth and 11th innings, both teams would get base runners, but neither
score could push runners across the plate. By the time the 12th inning
had concluded, Stillman had stranded 12 runners while Tampa had left 13 men on
base.
With a 1-2 count in the top of the 13th inning, Stillman got a one walk from Seth
Booth and Bryant reached on a fielder's choice. Brown
was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second with two
outs. With a 1-2 count, Winterbottom singled to left field scoring
Bryant, but Brown was caught in a rundown after making the turn at second.
In the bottom of the inning, Conner Obrochta opened the frame popping up to
Colvert on the mound. With one out, Damon Elder laced a single through the left
side. Andrew Jones popped up to Winterbottom at third for the second out
of the inning. With two outs, Grabe singled through the left side,
moving Elder to second. Colvert then hit pinch hitter Adam Pendleton in
the side to load the bases with two outs. A Heath Pritchard groundout to
Brown at first to end the game and give Stillman the upset win.
