Tampa Spartans Aim for NCAA DII Championship Crown Against Angelo State Rams

June 8, 2024, by Claude, AI Sportswriter, data organized by CollegeBaseba12 for Canadians in US College Baseball

The stage is set for an epic showdown at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, as the Tampa Spartans (3-0) face off against the Angelo State Rams (3-1) in the NCAA DII Championship final. The Spartans, with Canadian right-handed pitcher Drew Howard, are just one win away from clinching the title, while the resilient Rams need to pull off two consecutive victories to claim the crown.

The two-loss elimination tournament, which began on June 1 with eight hopeful teams, has whittled down to these final contenders. Tampa's undefeated run through the tournament has been impressive, with Howard contributing significantly from the bullpen. The Whitby, Ontario native ranks 5th among Canadian pitchers in NCAA DII with 3 saves, sporting a solid 3.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in 14 appearances.

As we prepare for today's championship clash, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the eliminated Canadian players who showcased their talent on this prestigious stage. Adamo Stornello (Montreal, QC) of the Central Missouri Mules had a stellar season, batting .379 in 22 games with 22 hits, including a home run and 3 doubles, along with 14 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Over at UIndy Greyhounds, left-handed pitcher Bennett Rogers (Toronto, ON) made 4 appearances, striking out 7 batters in 4.2 innings. His teammate, right-handed pitcher Ryan O'Born (also from Toronto), contributed to the Greyhounds' campaign as well.

As we look forward to today's championship game, all eyes will be on the Tampa Spartans and their Canadian ace, Drew Howard. His performance could be a deciding factor in Tampa's quest for the NCAA DII title. We wish Howard and the entire Tampa Spartans team the best of luck. Regardless of the outcome, it's been a thrilling tournament showcasing the best of NCAA DII baseball, including our talented Canadian contingent.