TAMPA, FLA. (WFLA) — New season. New faces. Same expectations for the UTampa baseball program.
“We lost a lot, but the expectations are national championship again,” said longtime head coach Joe Urso.
The Spartans won it all in 2024, and they’re confident they can add another to ring to their collection this year, thanks to the return of some key starters and the addition of some high-profile transfers like first baseman Alberto Osuna. The former North Carolina Tar Heel left UNC fifth in program history in career home runs.
“He has 45 home runs the last three years in the ACC, so his resume is huge, and we expect him to drive in all the runs in the middle of our lineup,” said Urso.
“I just had an extra year of eligibility in Division II so as soon as I found that out, Tampa was at the top of my list,” said Osuna. “I was able to talk to coach Urso about it. Just a great spot where I can get my master’s and also compete for a national championship just one more time.”
It also doesn’t hurt the Spartans return the top pitcher in all of Division 2. Skylar Gonzalez is back for another season after finishing a perfect 16-0 with a 2.46 ERA in 2024.
“It’s huge when you can have a legit Friday night guy coming back to set the tone for the weekend series, it means everything. He’s a workhorse and hopefully he stays healthy because he’ll be key in us making a deep championship run again,” said Urso.
“I feel like if I go in with the mindset of just doing the same last year, with the knowledge I have from last year, I can kind of build on that, maybe, I don’t know, 17 wins? I had a couple of no-decisions last year so maybe one or two more wins,” said Gonzaelz.
