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UT follows new path to region tournament

Injuries and a cold start have given way to wins in 31 of 39 and the top seed in the South.

By ROD GIPSON
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 16, 2002

TAMPA -- For the University of Tampa, mid May means two things: the region tournament and another shot at a Division II World Series berth.

So with the start of the South Region tournament today at Sam Bailey Field, all is normal in the Tampa universe -- sort of.

Yes, the Spartans are the host and top seed of the tournament, which includes Carson-Newman (Tenn.) and Sunshine State Conference rivals Florida Southern and Rollins. But this appearance came about differently. Whereas past Tampa teams stormed through the regular season, this season's team had a different script. Tampa started 3-10, endured injuries to starters, rallied behind its seniors and received stellar play from key freshmen to put together a 31-8 stretch and earn the conference title and the top seed in the region.

"Our team, especially the seniors, know about the University of Tampa tradition," said coach Joe Urso, who led the Spartans to a Division II World Series appearance last year.

"They know what's expected of UT baseball, and they were not going to be the ones to go out that way." But now that the postseason is here, the Spartans are looking forward, not back.

Tampa (34-18) faces fourth-seeded Rollins (40-14) at 7 p.m. today. The double-elimination tournament continues Friday with the final Saturday.

The winner will be one of eight region champs to advance to the World Series in Montgomery, Ala.

Carson-Newman enters the tournament with a team batting average of .338 and a school-record 95 home runs. Florida Southern has won four of five, and Rollins is the only team in the tournament to have beaten Tampa this season, 6-4 on May 4.

Tampa has the homefield advantage and a solid lineup that features good hitting, strong pitching and sound defense. Freshmen infielders Billy Wimberly and Eric Thompson have become veterans, starting every regular-season game but one. Wimberly, a third baseman who also catches, led Tampa with a .404 batting average, and Thompson, a first baseman, led with 44 RBIs.

Senior outfielder Neal Maybin provided 10 home runs and 35 RBIs after returning from early-season quadriceps and ankle injuries. Sophomore left-hander Joey Watts, today's starter, is 9-5 with a 3.83 ERA.

"A lot of factors can play roles in this kind of a tournament," Urso said. "But it comes down to who has the most focus and who plays the best defense. We think we are as good as anyone else."

And after the adversity he and his teammates faced in getting here, Maybin believes they might be a little better.

"We're a better team because of what we went through this year," he said. "We did face a lot of adversity.

"But ... now we're ready to just come in here and play like we know we can."

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