BROOKLYN, N.Y. (May 25, 2007) ? The University of South Florida allowed three runs in the top of the eighth to lose, 3-0, to Connecticut Friday night in the 2007 BIG EAST Baseball Championship held at KeySpan Park in Brooklyn, N.Y.
In the double-elimination tournament, the Bulls and Huskies will face off a time at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday night, following the Louisville / Rutgers game, which will start at approximately 6 p.m.
Freshman right handed pitcher Matt Quevedo was tagged with his third loss of the season, dropping his overall record to 4-3. Quevedo struck out six Huskies, but allowed five hits and one run in 7.1 innings before being relieved by classmate Shawn Sanford. Sanford struck out one while allowing two runs and a pair of hits in 1.2 innings.
Junior shortstop Walter Diaz started the Bulls on the right foot in USF's third game of the tournament, connecting on a single to right center as the teams' leadoff batter. Diaz was caught stealing on the next play to end the Bulls' hopes of scoring in the opening inning.
In the seventh, USF again threatened to score as sophomore Addison Maruszak connected on his third double in three games, a two-out shot to left center. Junior designated hitter Charles Cleveland then drew a walk, but senior Ty Taborelli flew out to left field to end the inning.
After holding the Huskies scoreless through seven innings, the Bulls gave up two doubles and a base hit in the top of the eighth, allowing Connecticut to take the 3-0 lead in the game.
Only three Bulls stepped to the plate in seven of nine innings, and only four players faced the Huskies in the other two innings.
The Bulls are 34-25 this season and 2-1 in the conference tournament.
The last time USF won its first two games in a conference championship was the 1995 season, when the Bulls won the Metro Conference Tournament Championship with a perfect 5-0 performance.
If USF wins the Friday night outing, the Bulls will play for the conference championship against either No. 2 Rutgers or No. 3 Louisville at 1p.m. Saturday, which will be broadcast live on ESPNU. A USF loss will end the conference tournament for the Bulls.
This week the Bulls' 2007 BIG EAST Conference Baseball Championship games can be heard live on the USF Press Pass on www.GoUSFBulls.com. Garrett Walvoord (play-by-play) is calling the games for USF.
