TAMPA, Fla. ? With a 2-1 victory over Stetson on Wednesday, the University of South Florida baseball team swept both midweek games for the second time in two weeks.
Sophomore starter Teddy Kaufman earned his second win of the season, striking out two while allowing one run from four hits in 6.2 innings. Freshman Michael Anzivino relieved Kaufman in the seventh, then sophomore closer Shawn Sanford picked up his 10th save of the year with a 1.2 inning, no-hit outing.
"We needed that out of Teddy, especially after last night when we used so many pitchers," said USF coach Lelo Prado. "He did a good job, and Anzivino did a good job. Then Shawn came in and did what he is supposed to do, and that is finish the job. I was very happy with our pitchers tonight."
Freshman Ryan Lockwood singled up the middle in the first inning to tie USF's longest hitting streak in the past nine years. With the hit, he ties shortstop Water Diaz' 24-game clip in 2007. Lockwood was 3-of-4 in Wednesday's game, with a trio of singles, two runs scored and a stolen base.
After Tuesday night's game - two grand slams and four homers, 30 runs, 425 pitches thrown by 13 different pitchers, 10 innings and the better part of five hours - the match up between the Bulls and Hatters had no home runs, three runs scored, 233 pitches by five pitchers and nine innings in two hours, 22 minutes.
"We did enough to win," added Prado. "After last night, I knew this one was going to be tough, I'm just happy we got the win."
Both teams chalked up a run in the first inning, but were held scoreless the next four frames. In the sixth, the Bulls scored one run from three hits to win the game 2-1.
With two outs in the first, Lockwood sent a base hit up the middle then junior Brian Hobbs doubled down the left line to pick up his 25th RBI of the season and tie the game at one.
Lockwood led off the sixth with his third base hit of the night, then stole second base. With two outs, junior Chris Rey singled to the right side, scoring Lockwood and giving USF the lead.
USF continues its seven-game homestand this weekend when Villanova comes to town for a three-game BIG EAST set. The Bulls and Wildcats meet at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, then at 1 p.m. Sunday. Friday night's game can be viewed on Catch 47, the local cable partner of USF athletics, as well as heard on 1010 Sports and Press Pass Radio.
