Spartans

By ROD GIPSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 3, 2000

TAMPA -- The best about winning a conference tournament is not having to wait and hope for an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. The University of Tampa women don't have to do that but will gather to await word on Sunday about who and where they play in the opening round of the tournament.

The Spartans (20-9) do know they will be in the South Region of the Division II tournament, which tips off Thursday. "We can compete with any team in the country," UT coach Tom Mosca said. "We're not going to be afraid of anyone."

Spartans senior guard Africa Gaston was named Sunshine State Conference Player of the Month after scoring in double figures in five of UT's last eight games.

Gaston averaged 14 points a game as UT swept three opponents, including top seed Rollins to win its first SSC crown.

BASEBALL: The Spartans improved to 11-4 on the season after Wednesday's 18-5 win over Nova Southeastern. Jim Kavourias and Ronnie Merrill, Jr. continue to be the big offensive contributors.

Kavourias has six home runs and 18 RBI, both team highs, and is hitting .298. Merrill is hitting .436 with 2 triples, 16 RBI and 24 hits.

Pitchers Kris Sutton, Brett Stewart and Charlie Manning have been mainstays on the mound. Sutton is 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA with 18 strikeouts. Stewart is 2-1 and Manning is 2-0 with a team-high 25 strikeouts.

UT faces the University of Indianapolis Saturday in Fort Myers and return home Sunday for a 7 p.m. game against Shippensburg College.

MEN'S SWIMMING: The Spartans' will take 10 swimmers, their most ever, to the NCAA meet beginning March 8 in Buffalo. Junior Jim Kiner, who will compete in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, is the top seed in the 100.

With strong relay teams and a No. 6 ranking, coach Ed Brennan is optimistic about the trip.

"It's the most guys we have taken and the more you have qualify, the better your chances of scoring and winning events," Brennan said. "It's going to be very competitive but I feel with this squad, every race we're in, we're in a position to win."

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