TAMPA, Fla. (Sunday, March 5) ? A late rally by the University of South Florida baseball team (4-9) fell short as the Bulls lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-3), 7-6, on Sunday, March 5 at Red McEwen Field. The Bulls rattled off three runs in the bottom of the ninth to pull within one run of the Illini but, were unable to get the needed fourth and tying run, dropping their third-straight contests of the weekend.

Registering 11 hits on the afternoon, USF was led by designated hitter Brad Karns, who went 4-for-4. The Okeechobee, Fla., native reached base in each of his four at-bats, including an RBI-single in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Addison Maruszak scored twice, batting 2-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt versus the Illini. Senior Brian Baisley drove in two big runs in the bottom of the ninth, going 1-for-5 to extend his current hitting streak to eight games.

Starter Davis Bilardello lasted seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits. The Vero Beach, Fla., native struck out three Illinois batters to earn a “no decision”. Junior Yuri Higgins suffered his second loss of the season. Higgins gave up four runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning of relief.

Illinois took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with an RBI-single by Chase Kliment. With leadoff hitter Shawn Roof on third, Kliment hit a double down the left-field line, scoring the Illinois third baseman.

USF threatened the tie the score in the bottom of the first. Maruszak was 90 feet from scoring the Bulls' first run of the game. However, Illini pitcher Scott Shaw kept USF off the board to protect the one-run lead.

The Bulls took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the six, scoring two runs on three hits. With two outs and runners on second and third, Nick Cardieri hit a single to center field, scoring Maruszak from second. The next batter, Karns, drove in the go-ahead run with a single up the middle.

The Fighting Illini regained the lead with two runs in the top of the seventh to make the score 3-2.

USF tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. Dexter Butler crossed home plate on a ground out by Kris Howell to draw the score even at 3-3.

Ryan Snowden made the score 4-3 in favor of Illinois in the top of the eighth on and RBI-single through the right side of the infield. The Illini added three runs on back-to-back singles by Dave Schultz and Roof with bases loaded to take a 7-3 advantage.

The Bulls rallied in the bottom of the ninth scoring three runs, including a single by Baisley which drove in two and a sacrifice fly by Angelberger. Down one run with a runner on first, pitcher Brian Long got Cardieri to fly out to left field, ending the game and giving the Fighting Illini the series sweep against the Bulls.

The loss extended USF's losing streak four games.

USF will host the Penn Quakers on Tuesday, March 7. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.