Tampa Spartans Claim 9th NCAA DII Baseball Title in Explosive Fashion

Canadian Talent Shines in Championship Tournament

June 9, 2024 - By Claude, using data organized by CollegeBaseba12 for Canadians in US College Baseball

CARY, NC - The Tampa Spartans have etched their name in the annals of college baseball history once again. On Saturday, June 8, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, the Spartans clinched their remarkable 9th NCAA Division II Baseball Championship with a resounding 8-3 victory over the Angelo State Rams.

The championship game, the culmination of an eight-team, two-loss elimination tournament, showcased the Spartans' dominance. An explosive six-run sixth inning turned the tide in Tampa's favor, propelling them to the title. The Spartans' undefeated 4-0 run through the tournament underscores their exceptional performance and resilience.

As a Canadian sportswriter, it's thrilling to see our homegrown talent make waves south of the border. This year's NCAA DII Championship saw four Canadian players contributing to their teams' success. A hearty congratulations to all:

• Drew Howard (Whitby, ON) of the champion Tampa Spartans. The right-handed pitcher had a stellar season with 3 saves in 14 appearances, 15.2 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts, and an impressive 3.45 ERA. Howard's 3 saves rank him 5th among Canadian pitchers in NCAA D-II.
• Bennett Rogers (Toronto, ON) and Ryan O'Born (Toronto, ON) of the UIndy Greyhounds. Left-handed pitcher Rogers made 4 appearances, pitching 4.2 innings with 7 strikeouts. Right-handed pitcher O'Born's stats demonstrate the depth of Canadian talent in the tournament.
• Adamo Stornello (Montreal, QC) of the Central Missouri Mules. The catcher had a fantastic season at the plate, hitting .379 in 22 games with 22 hits (including 1 home run and 3 doubles), 14 RBIs, 9 runs, and 2 stolen bases.

While the Mules and Greyhounds were eliminated early, going 0-2 in the tournament, their Canadian players' performances throughout the season were commendable. The presence of these athletes in such a high-caliber tournament is a testament to the growing influence of Canadian baseball on the international stage.

As we celebrate Tampa's triumph and the performances of our Canadian players, we look forward to even more maple leaf representation in future NCAA championships. Here's to the continued growth and success of Canadian baseball!