JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sunday, Feb. 19) ? A four-run fifth inning by Jacksonville, proved to be the difference as the University of South Florida baseball team (2-4) lost its third-straight game, falling to the Dolphins (7-1), 8-4, on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Alexander Brest Field.

Starting pitcher Daniel Thomas was credited with the loss, allowing seven runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out five in five innings. The Tampa native threw 101 total pitches (55 strikes) on the afternoon, walking four JU batters. USF bullpen (James Rowe, Yuri Higgins, Raymon Garcia and Chase Lirette) pitched the final three innings of the contest, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Both James and Higgins combined for one inning (the sixth) while Garcia, who pitched the eighth, and Lirette, who pitched the ninth, closed out the contest.

Offensively, the Bulls were led by Brian Baisley, who went 2-for-4, including his third double of the season. Joey Angelberger drew two walks and scored two runs in the contest (USF's final two scores). Catcher Braulio Pardo went 1-for-3 with a run scored, registering his first-collegiate hit in the game. Shortstop Addison Maruszak hit 1-for-2 with a walk, a sacrifice hit and a run scored. In all the Bulls notched seven hits on the afternoon.

The Dolphins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Thomas LePage drove in JU's first run, reaching first base on a fielder's choice. Jacksonville's second run came on a failed pick off attempt, leaving the Bulls in an early hole.

USF threatened in the top of the fourth loading the bases with two outs. However, a first-pitch line drive to third base ended the inning, keeping the score 2-0 in favor of the Dolphins.

Jacksonville extended its lead to 3-0 with an RBI single by Justin Young in the bottom of the fourth.

The Bulls got on the board in the top of the fifth. Threatening with runners on second and third and just one out, Mike Consolmagno drove in Pardo from third. Maruszak, who advanced to third on Consolmagno's RBI, scored on a single to right field by Jim Cassidy. The two-run fifth inning cut JU's lead to 3-2.

Jacksonville opened the game up, adding four runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a three-RBI double by Mike McCallister to left field, making the score 7-2. The score became 8-2 in favor of Jacksonville on a wild pitch by Rowe in the bottom of the sixth with a runner on third.

A sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Brad Karns scored the Bulls' third run of the game in the top of the seventh. With runners on second and third, Karns took a 1-0 pitch to center field, scoring Angelberger from third.

The Bulls cut the Dolphin's lead to 8-4 in the top of the ninth when Angelberger, who was standing on third, scored on a throwing error by Jacksonville second baseman Logan James. Unable to draw any closer, USF dropped its third-straight contest to Jacksonville.

USF will host the University of North Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Red McEwen Field. Game time is 7 p.m.


Jacksonville 8, USF 4 (Feb 19, 2006 at Jacksonville, Fla.)
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USF................. 000 020 101 - 4 7 4 (2-4)
Jacksonville........ 200 141 00X - 8 9 1 (7-1)
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Pitchers: USF - THOMAS; ROWE(6); HIGGINS(6); GARCIA(7); LIRETTE(8). Jacksonville - DOBBINS;
YOUNG(8); ACKLEY(9).
Win-DOBBINS(2-0) Loss-THOMAS(0-1) T-2:56 A-147