TAMPA — Every player dreams of going out on top of their respective sport.
Former Danville standout Jake Stipp is doing just that, as the left-handed pitcher capped his collegiate career with back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships at the University of Tampa.
“As much as I would like to keep is going, it’s important for me to go out on top, going out enjoying the game,’’ said Stipp on Tuesday just a few days after Tampa defeated Central Missouri two games to one in the best-of-three championship series in Cary, N.C. “I’m at peace with that. I’m at peace with my career. Especially, these last few years.’’
In his two seasons with Tampa, Stipp went 19-1 with 1 save and a 3.30 ERA in 35 appearances with the Spartans, who went 107-18 during the stretch with a pair of National Championships.
“It was really something special,’’ said Stipp about his two years with Tampa. “I also have to give a lot of credit to my teammates for making the defensive plays behind me and providing me with the offensive support. No pitcher is successful without those two things.’’
But, how did Stipp get to Tampa?
Coming out of Danville High School, Stipp originally went to Danville Area Community College, where he was a part of the Jaguar baseball program during the 2020 and 2021 season.
“It was pretty devastating my freshman year at DACC getting cut short,’’ said Stipp referring the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down all of college sports that spring. “Ultimately it turned in a blessing, because it allowed me to keep playing the game I love in a competitive place.’’
After his one season at DACC, Stipp transferred to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. where he went 8-10 with a 5.52 ERA in 166.1 innings, striking out 164 and walking 60.
So with two years of eligibility remaining and a desire to get a master’s degree, Stipp transferred to Tampa.
“Eckerd didn’t have a grad program. I could have stayed, but I would have been looking at getting another undergrad degree,’’ he said. “With two years of eligibility, it made the most sense to further my education and my MBA (master of business administration).
“My experiences through DACC and Eckerd were great, but the main thing I wanted when I chose Tampa was to be part of a winning program.’’
The Spartans fit perfectly. They had appeared in eight straight NCAA Tournaments and they had eight National Championships going into the 2024 season.
After back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, Tampa has the most national titles (10) for any NCAA Division II baseball program.
“It was pretty much a no-brainer when I chose Tampa,’’ said Stipp, who turned down offers from some NCAA Division I programs.
After suffering an injury during fall baseball, Stipp came back in the spring, going 7-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 66 innings for the Spartans.
“The coaching staff here at Tampa had full confidence and trust in me from day one, even when I got hurt in my first fall with them,’’ Stipp said. “They wanted me to be one of their main guys and I embraced that role.
“That was a big thing for me.’’
Stipp earned the victory for the Spartans in the NCAA Division II semifinals in 2024, going 5.2 innings, allowing 2 runs as Tampa defeated Catawba 7-2. He was also the winning pitcher in winner-take-all super regionals game against Embry-Riddle, sending the Spartans to the National Tournament.
His success carried over into his graduate season, Stipp went 12-0 with 3.41 ERA in 100.1 innings as he struck out 80 batters. Once again, Stipp delivered a pivotal win for Tampa in their run for the National Championship.
With his team facing elimination after 5-3 loss to Northwestern Nazarene, Stipp went 8 innings, allowing just 1 run as Tampa beat Texas-Tyler 8-1. Four days later, Stipp went 7 innings in the second game of their best-of-three series with Central Missouri.
“We kind of ran through the National Championship last year, not losing a game, but this year, we had our backs against the wall for nearly the entire tournament,’’ Stipp said. “Being able to come out on top definitely makes you appreciate it a little more.’’
What was the key to his success these past two years?
“Establishing an inside fastball,’’ he said. “I always knew in the back of my mind it was something I could do, specifically get inside on right-handed hitters. If I did that, I would be a lot more successful because they would have to respect that and not dive out for my change up on the outside of the plate.’’
So, even with all of this success these past two seasons is Stipp even thinking about a possible professional baseball career.
“I’m ready to start the next part of my life,’’ he said, knowing that he will turn 25 next month.
Stipp is hopeful that his connections in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area of Florida helps him to get a full-time job.
“There are Eckerd and Tampa alums that I can connect with,’’ said Stipp, who is currently working a baseball camp at Tampa.
One of his biggest highlights came this season in a game on March 1 against Davenport (Mich.) when Stipp made a SportsCenter Top-10 worthy play at first base.
“It was a grounder towards first, I was going over to cover when the ball bounced off the base, I grabbed it and tossed it behind my back to my first baseman,’’ said Stipp. “It’s gotten over 100,000 views online.’’
So, it’s been the perfect ending to his baseball career.