DeLAND, Fla. (May 9, 2006) ? The University of South Florida baseball team (20-29) fell to the Stetson Hatters (29-20), 8-5, on Tuesday, May 9 at Melching Field. A triple by Stetson's Shane Jordan with the bases loaded proved to be the difference as USF lost its third game of the season to the Hatters.

Shortstop Addison Maruszak went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored on the evening. Senior Brian Baisley led the Bulls with two RBI versus the Hatters, hitting 1-for-4. Second baseman Carlos Armstrong scored two runs in the contest, registering his first-career hit, going 1-for-2 in the contest. Sophomore Dexter Butler registered his second home run of the season, going 1-for-4 against Stetson.

Starter Yuri Higgins pitched a strong five innings in his sixth start of the season, scattering seven hits, while striking out five Stetson batters on the night. Matt Ingram was saddled with his first loss of the season, giving up three runs on five hits in one and one-third inning of relief. Nick Manganaro and Chase Lirette combined for one and two-third innings to close out the game. 

The Hatters jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring runs in the bottom of the first and second innings before USF tied the game in the top of the third. RBI singles by Maruszak and Baisley evened the scored a 2-all.

USF took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the top of the fifth. Armstrong scored the first run of the inning on a wild pitch. Baisley registered his second RBI of the night, reaching first base on a fielder's choice.

Stetson threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with just one out and USF leading 4-2. Higgins got out of the jam, allowing just one run to keep the Bulls ahead, 4-3.

The Hatters tied the game with a run in the bottom of the sixth. A triple by Shane Jordan with the bases loaded sparked a four-run inning in the bottom of the seventh giving Stetson an 8-4 lead.

A home run by Butler in the top of the ninth cut USF's deficit to three runs. However, the Bulls could not draw any closer, dropping the contest, 8-5.

USF will travel to Jamaica, N.Y., to face the St. John's Red Storm in a three-game BIG EAST series beginning on Friday, May 12. First pitch for Friday's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Stetson 8, USF 5 (May 09, 2006 at DeLand, Fla.)
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USF................. 002 020 001  -  5  7  2      (20-29)
Stetson............. 110 011 40X  -  8 13  1      (29-20)
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Pitchers: USF - HIGGINS; INGRAM(6); MANGANARO(7); LIRETTE(8). Stetson - NERY; HITCHCOCK(5);
ELSEMILLER(9).
Win-HITCHCOCK(5-0)  Loss-INGRAM(0-1)  T-3:04  A-1085
HR USF - BUTLER (2).
NERY faced 2 batters in the 5th.