University of Tampa baseball and lacrosse teams win national championships

The University of Champa! The women’s lacrosse team won its first-ever national championship, while the men’s baseball team took home its 9th.

In a thrilling showdown, the No. 2 seed Tampa Spartans clinched the 2024 NCAA National Championship, defeating the No. 8 seed and defending national champion Angelo State Rams. This victory marks a stellar season finale for head coach Joe Urso’s squad, who wrapped up the year with an impressive 52-8 record.

“These guys are all going to be part of my family for the rest of my life. They are going to go down in my heart as one of the greatest teams of all time,” expressed Urso, a 1992 graduate who recently celebrated his 1,000th career win and was honored as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) National Coach of the Year.

“I know with this group, I’m going to be part of their lives for a long time outside of this game,” Urso added, reflecting on the tight-knit bond he shares with his players.

The Spartans’ triumph adds a ninth national championship to Tampa’s storied baseball history, tying them with Florida Southern for the most NCAA Division II titles. Notably, Tampa has claimed six national championships since 2000, a feat unmatched by any other school at any NCAA level.

Women’s Lacrosse celebrates first national championship

In Lacrosse, The Spartans toppled the No. 1 overall-seeded Adelphi 13-8 in Winter Park on Friday for the Division II title. It marks the first-ever national title for UT women’s lacrosse and caps off a 19-3 season on a sparkling 11-game win streak. 

The 2024 NCAA DII women’s lacrosse championship began with a selection show on Sunday, May 12. Action started on Thursday, May 16 and continued through the national championship at Showalter Stadium in Winter Park, Florida on Saturday, May 25.

The Spartans avenged its regular season loss to the Panthers, winning 13-8 to clinch the title, led by Sophi Wrisk‘s perfect shooting day, totaling five goals and an assist.  

Pace, Regis, and West Chester round out the Top 5, as previously undefeated Pace and West Chester dropped out of the top two spots for the first time since Week 2 of the season.