DeLAND, Fla. (Saturday, Feb. 25) ? Two runs off of two doubles in the top of the sixth, proved to be the difference as the University of South Florida baseball team (4-5) defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini, 4-2, during the Stetson Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Melching Field. Sophomore Joey Angelberger and freshman Addison Maruszak accounted for both doubles in the inning to lead USF to its second-straight win.

Angelberger went 1-for-4 with the game-winning RBI and a run scored in the contest. Maruszak hit a team-best 3-for-4 with two RBI versus the Fighting Illini. Senior Kris Howell hit 2-for-4, extending his career-best hitting streak to eight games. Seven different batters registered at least one hit for USF in the contest.

Sophomore Daniel Thomas earned his first win of the season, allowing one run (unearned) on five hits while striking out seven Illinois batters in seven innings of action.

The Bulls took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an RBI-single by Maruszak. With Brandin Daniel, who reached base with a double, in scoring position, the Pinellas Park, Fla., native singled to right field, bringing in the run and giving USF an early lead. The double was Daniel's second of the season while the RBI was the third of the season for Maruszak. USF extended its lead in the top of the fourth with an RBI-single by Nick Cardieri. The single up the middle scored Brian Baisley from second base, extending the Bulls' lead to 2-0. The RBI was the fifth of the season for Caridieri.

USF threatened to add to its lead in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with two outs. However, Illinois hurler Luke Obukowicz got Baisley to fly out to right field to end the inning.

A pair of doubles in the top of the sixth increased USF's lead to 4-0. Angelberger and Maruszak drove in both runs to give the Bulls a four-run advantage. Angelberger's two-bagger was his second of the season, scoring Dexter Butler from second. Maruszak's double brought home Angelberger as the USF shortstop ripped the ball over the left-fielder's head. Angelberger recorded fourth RBI during the inning. Maruszak, who brought in his second run of the game, increased his season total to four RBI.

Illinois scored its first run of the contest on a triple by Trevor Huisinga in the bottom of the seventh. The triple scored Joe Bonadonna from second. Bonadonna reach base on an error by second baseman Gus Fernandez. The run (unearned) made the score 4-1 in favor of the Bulls.

The Fighting Illini threatened in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. A key double play occurred during the inning to get USF out of the jam. A single by Lars Davis brought home Illinois' second run of the game. Attempting to score another run, Illinois sent the runner from third to home. Angelberger threw out the runner at home from right field. Baisley then threw out the second runner with a throw to third to complete the double play.

Lirette came in during the bottom ninth inning, allowing no runs on no hits to earn his second save of the season.

USF will face the Stetson Hatters in its second and final game of the Stetson Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 26. Game time is 4 p.m.