TAMPA, Fla. ? The University of South Florida baseball team (8-5) won its fifth-straight game this season, defeating the University of North Florida Ospreys, 7-1, Wednesday night at Red McEwen Field.
"I like the way we are playing," said Prado. "I still think there is a lot of improvement to be made, but if we continue to make progress every time out, we are going to be pretty tough down the stretch and late in the season."
Freshman right-handed pitcher Derrick Stultz picked up his second win of the season, striking out three while allowing five hits and no runs in 7.0 IP.
"Stultz did a good job for us tonight, that's what we expect of him," said Prado "When he is throwing strikes and getting ahead on the count on almost every hitter, it's great to play behind a guy like that."
For the eighth time this season, USF scored first in the game, tagging the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. The Bulls collected two more in the fourth and a home run from junior Chris Rey gave USF the 4-0 lead after five. USF added three in the seventh, including a bomb from senior Joey Angelberger, to pick up the eighth win of the season.
Rey's home run was his second of the season, and Angelberger's was the first of the year and 14th of his career.
Junior Addison Maruszak and Angelberger each notched doubles in the game, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Junior Brandon Smith also had two hits, batting 2-of-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
USF opens BIG EAST Conference play this weekend as Seton Hall comes to town for a three-game series. Junior RHP Daniel Thomas will take the mound for the Bulls at 7 p.m. Friday night, then sophomore Matt Quevedo will get the nod at 7 p.m. Saturday. Freshman Randy Fontanez will wrap up the weekend for USF, starting the 1 p.m. matchup with the Pirates.
