MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Prodigious. It is a word thrown around a lot when home runs leave the park screaming.
But it fits Jay Hyland's performance.
Hyland gave the almost 600 at Paterson Field something to cheer Thursday in Tampa's 18-9 victory over Franklin Pierce, eliminating the Ravens from the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship.
Hyland's first home run landed on top of a 70-foot hill behind right centerfield - known as the Kudzu Monster - in the top of the seventh as part of a four-hit day that included two home runs and eight RBIs.
The 450-foot shot, which was part of a five-run inning, impressed even Hyland.
"I was shocked," he said. "I actually saw it go out and was totally amazed."
The blast was part of a 20-hit barrage by the Spartans (45-17), who advanced to Saturday's final at 7:30 p.m. Tampa, which is seeking its fourth title, faces Central Missouri State. "We're known for our pitching and hitting, but we are coming up to the plate with a lot of confidence right now," Tampa coach Joe Urso said. "They are swinging the bats really well and seeing the ball, focused on every pitch."
The Ravens (32-17) pulled within 7-5 in the fifth before top-ranked Tampa unloaded a four-run sixth. Much of the damage was done against first-team All-American Matt Weagle, who lasted six innings and gave up nine earned runs on 12 hits.
"Our ace had decent stuff, but maybe not his best stuff," coach Jayson King said. "But give those guys credit. They have a heck of a team."
Josh Weis, who played at Jesuit, entered in the sixth inning and picked up his eighth win of the season. Tampa starter Casey McKenzie of Sickles High lasted four-plus innings, giving up five runs, all earned, on seven hits and three walks. He had five strikeouts.
SOUTH FLORIDA: The Bulls signed outfielder/infielder Kyle Conard of St. Petersburg Catholic, shortstop Jeremy Brand of Florida College, outfielder/first baseman Tim Orloski of Daytona Beach Community College and right-hander Patrick Freeman of Key West. They bring the recruiting class to 13. Freeman, who did not pitch this season because of an elbow injury, is Baseball America's No.89 high school prospect. As a junior, he was 9-1 with 70 strikeouts and eight walks in 67 innings.
Also, softball coach Ken Eriksen announced Sickles High graduate Tiffany Stewart, a Class 4A first-team all-state choice in 2002, transferred from North Carolina. Stewart, an outfielder, played in 43 of 63 games for the Tar Heels this season and batted .154 (8-for-52).
ACC visits start in Miami
CORAL GABLES - ACC commissioner John Swofford headed a delegation that began touring Miami. The visit is the first of three to Big East schools. Different delegations are expected at Boston College and Syracuse next week. The site visits are mandatory based on ACC bylaws and could be critical steps in the conference's bid to lure three of the Big East's top programs. The delegation will meet with Miami president Donna Shalala and AD Paul Dee.
Rutgers spokesman John Wooding confirmed the Big East guaranteed Miami at least $9-million annually the next five years if the Hurricanes remain in the conference. The offer was made to Dee in a letter dated May27 and written by Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese with the approval of league presidents and athletic directors.
More sports
GOLF: The Clemson men shot 1-under 287 (24-over 888), moving past host Oklahoma State (889) into first after 54 holes. Second-round leader UCLA and Florida were tied for third at 899. Gators senior Jordan Code of Tampa was tied for 47th (229). South Alabama's Ryan Gildersleeve of Clearwater was tied for 57th (230).
SWIMMING: A North Carolina sophomore died after a tick bite gave her Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Andrea Erben, 19, of Panama City died at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital. Between 500 to 1,000 people nationally contract the disease each year and it causes 10 to 20 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
TRACK AND FIELD: Garrett Johnson (discus, shotput) and brother Marqus (discus), former standouts at Tampa Baptist Academy, and Sharneka Brown (triple jump) of Lakewood High are among 38 from Florida State competing in the NCAA East Region meet today-Saturday in Fairfax, Va. The top five in each event receive an automatic invitation to the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., June11-14.
TULANE: The Tulane Board said it will decide June10 if the Green Wave should remain in NCAA Division I-A, drop to a lower-budget program in Division III or drop football and remain in Division I-A in other sports. Tulane athletics loses about $7-million a year and spends another $7-million annually on athletic scholarships.
USF HONOR: Conference USA awarded 26 Commissioner's Academic Medals to USF athletes for a 3.75 GPA or better.
- Times staff writers Brian Landman and Pete Young contributed to this report, which includes information from Times wires.
