HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker Cobras are heading to the NCAA Division II Baseball National Championship. As the champions of the Southeast Region, the Cobras will face the South Region champion, the University of Tampa Spartans, in the opening round of the National Championship on Sunday (May 26) at 1 p.m. at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.
The Cobras (38-14) are riding an eight-game winning streak into the tournament, including going 4-0 at the Southeast Regional. Coker never trailed the entire tournament. Left-handed pitcher Dan Meyer was named the Southeast Region Tournament MVP, going 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 15.1 innings on the hill. Joining Meyer on the All-Tournament team were first baseman Fico Kondla, third baseman T.J. Giczkowski, outfielders Brinley Griffin, Justin Blechle and Ernie Kirkwood, and pitcher/DH Zach Loraine.
Tampa enters the game having won seven of their last eight games. The Spartans only loss of the South Regional came on championship Sunday, they lost a 7-2 game to West Florida, but bounced back to a 20-7 victory to capture the South Region Championship. Led by the South Region Tournament MVP, Adam Pendleton, the Spartans are 43-11 overall. Pendleton is hitting .342 with 32 RBIs, 10 doubles and a home run for the season.
Joining Coker and Tampa at the National Championship are Shippensburg (Atlantic), Franklin Pierce (East Region), Minnesota State (Central Region), Grand Valley State (Midwest Region), St. Edward's (South Central) and Grand Canyon (West).
Grand Valley State and Minnesota State are both making their third trip to National Finals since the tournament moved to Cary. Minnesota State is the only team from last year's National Finals to return again this year.
Franklin Pierce and Tampa reached the National Finals in 2010 and are both making their second trip to Cary. Shippensburg is in the National Finals for the first time since 2008.
Coker, Grand Canyon and St. Edward's are all making their first-ever appearance in the National Finals. Coker is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
The NCAA Division II Baseball National Championship is an eight-team double elimination tournament running from May 25 – June 1. There will be two games played each day, with the championship game being played on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online through etix.com or at the box office on game day. Tickets are $10 per session or all-session passes are available for $30. Tickets for seniors (55-over) and children (12-under) are $5, but can only be purchased at the box office on game days. Free admission for children 2-under. All seats are general admission.
Follow all the action live online at www.cokercobras.com.
Interactive bracket at ncaa.com
