TAMPA, Fla. | Kevin Karstetter drove in three runs, including the game-winning hit with one out in the bottom of the ninth as No. 1 University of Tampa rallied for a 5-4 win over No. 13 Georgia College & State University Friday (Jan. 31) evening at the Tampa Baseball Field.

The Spartans, who are the defending NCAA Division II champions, improved to 1-0, while the Bobcats, who advances to the Southeast Super Regionals in 2024, fell to 0-1. The teams play the middle game of the three-game set Saturday (Feb. 1) at 2 p.m.

GCSU drew first blood as Evan Cowan started the fourth inning rally with an one-out double through the left side and came around on Hank Noonan's two-run homer to left field. It was his first blast of 2025.

The Spartans tied the game at 2 as they pushed two unearned runs across in the bottom of the fourth thanks to two GCSU miscues.

It was time for the Bobcats to take advantage of two Tampa errors as they scored two unearned runs in the top of the sixth to open up a 4-2 lead.

The Spartans tied the game at 4 in the bottom of the seventh as Karstetter, who went 4-for-5, drove in two runs on an one-out triple down the right field line.

GCSU had chances to retake the lead in both the eighth and ninth innings, but left the bases loaded in the eight and stranded two more an inning later. The Bobcats left 10 runners on base for the game.

Cole Russo led off the bottom of the ninth for the Spartans with a double down the left field line off GCSU reliever Christian Donaldson (0-1). Dennis McCaffery, who pinch ran for Russo, came around to score on Karstetter's single to center. Karstetter accounted for half of Tampa's eight hits.

Reliever Jack Fletcher (1-0) earned the win for the Spartans.  

GCSU also collected eight hits with Cowan, Noonan and Carson Phillips tallying two hits apiece.

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics. 




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