TAMPA - He didn't figure in the decision, but Casey McKenzie still had one of his best pitching performances of the season.
McKenzie, a senior on the University of Tampa staff, gave up no earned runs in nine innings in UT's extra-inning win over Eckerd April 18.
McKenzie, whose outing earned him Sunshine State Conference pitcher of the week honors, gave up an unearned run, one hit and two walks and struck out nine. McKenzie's error allowed a run in the second inning. But he settled down to allow only one walk the next seven innings.
Josh Weis and Craig Benner finished, with Benner picking up the win. UT won in the 11th after Robert Valiente doubled to score Erick Monzon, and Valiente scored when Matt Armstrong reached base on an error.
On the season, McKenzie is 9-2 with a 3.05 ERA. He has a team-best 90 strikeouts and 17 walks, one shutout and three complete games in his 12 appearances. MORE BASEBALL: With its three-game sweep of Eckerd, the Spartans improved to 34-13 on the season and 12-6 in SSC play. That's still behind Rollins (39-9, 14-4) and Florida Southern (30-15, 11-4) in the SSC standings, exactly where UT is in the all-important regional rankings.
The Spartans are third in the Division II South Region, behind No. 1 Rollins and No. 2 FSC. With the top four squads qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, UT is currently in with its league foes, with Catawba being the No. 4 team.
MEN'S GOLF: Brian Ward shot 77-73-76 to finish with 10-over-par 226 to place seventh among individuals at the SSC tournament at Doral Golf and Country Club in Miami. His finish, along with three more UT players in the top 30, helped the Spartans place sixth with a three-day 945. Lynn captured its first SSC men's golf crown with 895, 11 strokes ahead of second-place Barry.
Lynn's Keir McNicoll (216) and Hoyt McGarity (220) took the top two spots among individuals. The other UT finishers were Garett Angel, who tied for 21st with 235; Brian Alberico and Chaney Noyes, who tied for 30th with 242 scores; and Kyle Burns, who shot 260 to finish 39th.
SOFTBALL: With two more series remaining in the regular season, the Spartans are in the running for an NCAA Tournament invitation. Currently ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II South Region behind Florida Southern, Rollins and Alabama-Huntsville, UT is 27-10 overall and 11-7 in the SSC. UT plays a three-game series at Nova Southeastern beginning Friday and ends the season with a three-game set at home against Lynn beginning April 30.
