Defending champion University of Tampa scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth Monday to defeat Point Loma Nazarene University 2-1 in a second-round, winners’ bracket game at the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships in Cary, N.C.

Sixth-seeded PLNU (50-12) will play third-seeded Catawba (48-13) Tuesday afternoon in an elimination game. The Sea Lions opened the NCAA Championships last Saturday with an 11-5 win over Catawba.

PLNU scored in the bottom of the eighth to tie second-seeded Tampa (48-8), which is looking for its third straight NCAA Division II baseball title and a record 11th overall.

But the Spartans’ leadoff hitter in the ninth reached on a throwing error by PLNU shortstop Matt Bernath, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single to center by Brayden Woodburn.

PLNU had tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth by scoring an unearned run.

Tristan Moore singled to open the inning and advanced to second on a groundout to third by Josiah Rodriguez. Hank Smith singled to left with Moore moving to third. Smith then stole second, putting Sea Lions at second and third with one out.

After Mason Cook struck out, the Spartans intentionally walked Ryan Ruch to load the bases. Jack Ryan then hit a grounder that got through the first baseman for an error that allowed Moore to score. But Smith was thrown out at the plate with the go-ahead run.

Tampa scored in the bottom of the second against PLNU All-American starting pitcher Devin Norton, who gave up one run on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts over seven innings.

The Sea Lions failed on several strong opportunities before tying the score in the eighth.

PLNU had runners at first and third with one out in the fourth when starting pitcher B.J. Bailey struck out Jack Ryan and Jake Schwartz. They also failed to score with two on and two out in the fifth and with the bases loaded and two out in the seventh.

Smith suffered the loss for the Sea Lions, giving up the unearned run on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in two innings.

The normally potent top five hitters in the PLNU lineup were 3-for-21 on Monday. The bottom four in the lineup went 3-for-11 and drew five walks, reaching base 50% of the time.