TAMPA, Fla. (April 20, 2007) ? Despite a game-tying two-run homer from junior catcher Brad Karns, the University of South Florida baseball team lost 5-2 to the BIG EAST-leading Rutgers Scarlet Knights Friday night at Red McEwen.

The Bulls fall to 27-13 overall and 9-7 in the conference while Rutgers improves to 22-14 overall and 10-3 in the league.

Junior shortstop Walter Diaz notched a hit in his 22nd consecutive game, batting 2-for-5 on the night, while junior second baseman Dexter Butler was 2-for-3 in the game.

Senior right handed pitcher Danny Otero (6-5) took the loss even though he struck out eight for the fourth consecutive game and the sixth time this season. Otero allowed eight hits and five runs while walking five in 7.0 innings. Prior to the game, Otero had only allowed 12 walks in 76.2 innings.

Freshman Shawn Sanford came in for relief in the eighth, striking out three of his seven batters faced, allowing no hits and no runs.

For the 4th consecutive game, USF's opponent scored first in the contest, as Rutgers tallied one run in the third inning and added a second in the fifth to take the 2-0 lead.

In the fifth, Karns blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence, his second of the season, to knot the score at two apiece after junior designated hitter Charles Cleveland was hit by a pitch.

After a scoreless sixth, Rutgers notched three runs from three hits in the seventh to take the three-run lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, USF threatened to score as Karns was hit by a pitch and Diaz singled up the middle, but a long fly ball to center field ended the game.

Throughout the game, four Bulls were hit by a pitch, including Karns, Dexter Butler, Charles Cleveland and Joey Angelberger.

 The Bulls and Scarlet Knights take the field again at 6 p.m. on Saturday, then at noon on Sunday in Tampa.