In a thrilling conclusion to the NCAA Division II Baseball season,the top-ranked University of Tampa Spartans emerged victorious over the second-ranked university of Central Missouri Mules. The Spartans clinched the championship by winning the final two games of the best-of-three series, with scores of 10-8 and 11-5, respectively, on Saturday, June 7, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

Central Missouri concluded their season with a 48-14 record, finishing as the NCAA Division II National Runner-Up. The Mules also celebrated their 21st NCAA-II Regional Championship and 31st MIAA Regular Season Title.

Game 1: Tampa 10, Central Missouri 8

Central missouri started strong in the first game, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning.Grant Hollister cleared the bases with a three-run double to centerfield, and Cole roundabout followed with an RBI single. However, Tampa responded, scoring one run in the fifth and three in the sixth to tie the game at 4-4.

The Spartans surged ahead with four runs in the eighth, making it 8-4. The Mules retaliated with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Chase wilcox singled to centerfield,driving in Chase Heath. Kriesel then hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Vance Tobol, and Isaiah Keller followed with a two-RBI single, bringing in Fold the pit and Wilcox to tie the game.

Tampa regained the lead with two runs in the top of the ninth and held Central Missouri scoreless in the bottom of the inning, securing the 10-8 victory.

Jacob Steele went 3-for-5 with a run, Dayvin Johnson went 2-for-4 with a run, Heath was 2-for-3 with a run, Grant Hollister was 2-for-3 with a double, run and three RBI, Kreisel was 2-for-5 with two runs batted in, and Isaiah Keller drove in two runs for Central Missouri.

UCM reliever Sawyer Allen (7-1) was charged with the loss, allowing two earned runs in the ninth.

tampa regained the lead with two runs in the top of the ninth inning and held UCM scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, sealing the win.

Game 2: Tampa 11, Central Missouri 5

In the decisive game, Tampa held a 5-1 lead going into the eighth inning. Central Missouri mounted a comeback, scoring three runs to narrow the gap to 5-4.

Vance Tobol hit a lead-off home run to right-center, his 22nd of the season.isaiah Keller then crushed a two-run homer to right-center, bringing UCM within one run.

Tampa responded emphatically, scoring six runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend their lead to 11-4.

Dayvin Johnson hit an RBI double to left center in the ninth for the Mules’ final run.

Dayvin Johnson, Vance Tobol, Grant Hollister, and Isaiah Keller each had two hits for UCM.

Central Missouri’s starting pitcher Egan keeler (4-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Grant Hollister, Chase Heath, and relief pitcher JD McReynolds were named to the NCAA-II Baseball Championship All-Tournament Team.