TAMPA - If the more than 4,700 miles between Tampa and Honolulu fatigued the Tampa baseball team on its recent trip to Hawaii, it didn't show during the Spartans' first game back in Sunshine State Conference play. In fact, outside of a 5-4 loss, the Spartans looked sharp in taking two of three at Saint Leo last weekend.
After lengthy plane rides, six games in four days against host Hawaii Pacific and the equally long return trip, UT faced Saint Leo on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader. UT opened the series with the loss but won the second game 2-1 before taking Sunday's game 4-2.
Junior outfielder Roberto Valiente continued his recent hot streak, leading the Spartans to five wins in Hawaii and the victories at the Lions en route to being named the SSC Player of the Week. Valiente batted 12-for-19 with three RBIs, three walks, seven runs and seven stolen bases in eight attempts. Valiente, who also won the award in January, posted four consecutive multiple-hit games against Hawaii Pacific and Saint Leo, including three three-hit games.
Equally strong was the UT pitching as Casey McKenzie and Joey Watts stayed unbeaten. McKenzie (7-0) pitched a seven-hitter and struck out 10 in UT's 2-1 win against the Lions on Saturday. Watts was just as effective a day later, allowing two hits and striking out four to improve to 6-0. Even in defeat, Eric Beattie (4-2) was solid. The junior right-hander threw eight innings and struck out nine in the one-run loss.
But the loss may have cost the Spartans their top spot in the Collegiate Baseball Division II poll. UT (22-6 overall, 5-1 SSC) slipped to No.3. Central Missouri State (15-2) and Alabama-Huntsville (17-2) each rose a spot to take over the Nos.1 and 2 positions, respectively.
UT faces SSC-leading Rollins (23-3, 3-0) in a key three-game series beginning Friday in Winter Park.
SOFTBALL: UT junior catcher Katie Bender batted .500 with four RBIs and four runs to lead the Spartans to two wins against conference foe Barry. Bender, who has hit safely in her past four contests, had two doubles against the Buccaneers. Senior pitcher Becky Testin was 2-0, scattering seven hits over 11 innings with one walk and 16 strikeouts. She went the distance in the 4-2 victory over Barry on Saturday, giving up two earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out 10.
UT (15-3, 7-2), ranked fourth in Division II by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, host Rollins beginning Friday in a three-game series.
ALUMNI: Devils Rays first baseman and former UT standout Tino Martinez will be among a dozen major-leaguers whose college jerseys will be featured in throwback form. The jerseys, available this summer, are being created by Headmaster Inc. and also will feature the collegiate uniforms of Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, Barry Bonds and others. The jerseys will sell for $90 for replicas and $200 for authentics this summer in area sports apparel stores.
