University of South Florida
West Virginia
Angelberger HR Ignites Bulls to Victory
May 23, 2008 | Baseball
CLEARWATER, Fla. ? Senior Joey Angelberger cracked a three-run bomb in the first inning to lead No. 6 University of South Florida (31-26) to a 12-5 victory over the No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers (35-21) Thursday night at the BIG EAST Baseball Championship at Bright House Network Field.
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
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The shot was Angelberger's fifth home run in seven games.
"Angelberger's home run in the first definitely made things a lot easier for us tonight," said head coach Lelo Prado.
In the 13th start of his rookie year, Randy Fontanez struck out six to earn his fifth win of the season. Fontanez allowed three earned runs from seven hits in six innings. Freshman reliever Zach Pietrzyk earned his second save of his career, allowing no runs from two hits in 3.0 innings of work.
"Randy is a competitor, that guy goes out and competes every time we use him," said Prado. "Randy did a heck of a job and Zach did a great job. I'm just happy for him and Zach. This is an experience that they will have with them over the next couple of years. Those are two freshmen that are going to be big for this program."
Freshman Junior Carlin continued his hot bat, collecting a pair of doubles while drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch before leaving the game in the seventh with an injury. Freshman Stephen Hunt also provided a spark in the offense, batting 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored.
With the win, USF advances to the semifinal round of tournament on Friday at 1 p.m., where the Bulls will face the Cincinnati Bearcats. A win against the Bearcats will force a second game, which will be played at either 6:30 or 8 p.m., depending on the outcome of the Louisville ? Villanova game at 10 a.m. Friday.
"Cincinnati and Louisville are two of the hottest teams in this tournament," said Prado. "Cincinnati played a great game against us last time. We have to step up or they will beat us again."
Junior Mike Consolmagno and Carlin each drew walks to start the game, then Angelberger sent his three-run bomb over the left field fence to give USF the early 3-0 lead. USF added their fourth run in the third inning when freshman Stephen Hunt singled to right field, then took two bases on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
Fontanez faced the minimum number of batters in the first three innings, posting a four-strikeout stretch with three Ks in the second and one to lead off the third.
West Virginia then inched back into the game with a three-run fourth, but the Bulls scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth to extend their lead, 7-3.
A leadoff double from the bat of Carlin began the fifth, then a two-out fielder's choice from Hunt plated Carlin. Junior Chris Rey singled up the middle to score Hunt, who had a stolen base during Rey's at bat. An inning later senior Charles Cleveland reached on an infield single then scored on a double to center field from Carlin.
After WVU scored two in the bottom of the sixth, USF added three in the top of the seventh, one in both the eighth and ninth.
The seventh started with back-to-back singles from junior Addison Maruszak and Hunt, then a sac fly from Rey that plated Maruszak. Hunt scored on a passed ball, then junior Trey Manz reached on a fielder's choice. After freshman Jonathan Koscso drew a walk and Cleveland was hit by a pitch, Consolmagno sent a sac fly to left to score Manz.
In the eighth, Maruszak drew a one-out walk and moved into scoring position after a single from Hunt. A fly out and an error later, Maruszak scored for the second time of the game.
The Bulls' final run of the game was driven in by Maruszak, a sac fly to center that scored Consolmagno.
Pietrzyk faced only 11 batters in his three innings, two over the minimum.
For more information about the Bulls and the 2008 BIG EAST Baseball Championship, go to www.BIGEASTBaseball.com or keep an eye on the USF baseball website at www.GoUSFBulls.com.
