TAMPA, Fla. (Sunday, Feb. 12) ? With bases loaded, two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the score 8-8, freshman Addison Maruszak drew a base-on-balls to bring home the winning run as the University of South Florida baseball team (2-1) defeated Northwestern (1-2), 9-8, on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Red McEwen Field. In a series which saw a total of nine runs and 26 hits over the first two outings, Sunday's contest featured 17 runs and 23 hits between the two clubs. Sophomore Dexter Butler and junior Nick Cardieri led the way for the Bulls, who tallied nine runs on 11 hits versus the Wildcats.

Butler, who was celebrating his 20th birthday on Sunday, went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Cardieri drove in two runs while batting 2-for-4 from the plate. Seven USF players crossed home plate on the afternoon, including Brian Baisley, who hit 2-for-5 on the day, including his second double of the season. Freshman Gus Fernandez, who coupled with Maruszak made up an all-freshman middle infield for USF on Sunday, crushed his first home run of his collegiate career in what turned out to be his first-ever hit on the Division I level, with a solo shot over the fence in right center on a 3-2 count in the bottom of the first. Fernandez finished the afternoon with an RBI and two runs scored, going 1-for-5. Maruszak, who registered the game-winning RBI, was in only his second start as a Bull. Senior Kris Howell scored two runs, going 1-for-4.

“With the wind blowing the way that it is blowing, it was tough conditions,” said Head Coach Eddie Cardieri. “Both teams had to overcome the same situation. I just feel fortunate that we won the game. It's so early in the season and there's a lot that I'm learning about this club in terms of how to manage it. We have hitters who are good hitters and have proven it throughout their career, who are not hitting. We have freshmen in the lineup that have never played in Division I and we have to be patient and let these guys develop. I feel very fortunate to win 2-out-of-3 against a great club ? a Big Ten team, who I think in going to be in the hunt in that league. What can I say? I feel fortunate.”

Raymon Garcia (1-0), who was making his second appearance of the weekend, picked up the victory (the first of his collegiate career), allowing no runs on no hits while striking out two in one and one-third innings of action. Four total USF pitchers were used in the contest, including Garcia. Nick Manganaro, Jim Cassidy, Yuri Higgins and Garcia combined to allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits while striking out nine Wildcat batters. In the final two innings of the contest, Higgins and Garcia held Northwestern with out a hit.

Northwestern's pitching staff, which had been giving USF some trouble during the previous two contests, struggled a bit on Sunday, allowing nine runs on 11 hits. Three of USF's runs were scored on wild pitches. The Wildcats recorded a total five wild pitches on the afternoon. NU's Chris Davidson was credited with the loss. Davidson went three and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two USF batters. Davidson allowed four walks, including the game-ending base-on-balls to Maruszak.

With the win USF earned its first series victory of the 2006 season and improved to 6-3 in season opening series under Cardieri.

USF will next host the Jacksonville Dolphins on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at Red McEwen Field. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

USF 9, Northwestern 8 (Feb 12, 2006 at Tampa, Fla.)
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Northwestern........ 020 400 110 - 8 12 4 (1-2)
USF................. 301 120 101 - 9 11 2 (2-1)
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Pitchers: Northwestern - Myers; Davidson(6). USF - Manganaro; Cassidy(4); Higgins(8); Garcia(8).
Win-Garcia(1-0) Loss-Davidson(0-1) T-3:11 A-296
HR NU - Mule (1).
HR USF - Fernandez (1).
Game notes:
Game time temp. 47 degrees. Winds 18 mph towards right field