By Kendall Rogers
South Florida was primed to take a huge step forward with a Big East regular season title last season until it was swept by Louisville the final weekend of conference play. Now the Bulls hope to seal the deal in 2010 and make an NCAA regional appearance. Experience certainly won't be an issue with this squad, as we take a look at the Bulls' five keys.
1. Use the way last season ended as motivation
Entering the final regular season series of the year against Louisville, the Bulls needed just one win in three games against the Cardinals to clinch the Big East regular season title. The Bulls were unable to seal the deal and had to watch UL celebrate another title on its home field. Even worse, though, is the fact the Bulls, even with an RPI of 74, likely would've made an NCAA regional by winning the Big East crown. That didn't happen, though, and the Bulls were left at home on Selection Monday. USF, of course, has no one to blame but itself. Look for this team to be very motivated in the spring. They want to turn the corner sooner rather than later.
2. Get more power production
Most teams that put together a successful regular season campaign and make noise in the postseason at least have adequate power production. USF wasn't that type of team last season and that must change to get a different result in the spring. The Bulls finished last season with just 36 homers, which was one of the nation's worst marks. Stephen Hunt led the team with eight homers last season and will be back in the spring. Trey Manz was second on the team with six homers and signed a professional contract this past summer. Look for the Bulls to rely heavily on Todd Brazeal, Sam Mende and Chris Rey to have more power production in '10. The Bulls will be lethal at the plate if they have power.
3. Meet expectations at the plate from an average standpoint
The Bulls might have some questions in the power department, but there's no reason the offense shouldn't at least have a solid batting average in the spring. The Bulls finished last season with an impressive .315 average and welcome back several key cogs from that lineup. They must replace Trey Manz, Mike Consolmagno and Brandon Smith, but return nine hitters that earned significant playing time last season. The offense is led by Junior Carlin, Jonathan Koscso, Todd Brazeal, Sam Mende, Peter Brotons and Ryan Lockwood. Carlin batted .384 with 27 RBIs last season. Koscso batted .355 with three homers and 36 RBIs, Brazeal batted .348 with five homers and 50 RBIs, Mende batted .319 with six homers and 24 RBIs, Brotons batted .311 with 27 RBIs and Lockwood batted .289 with 33 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Also keep an eye on Stephen Hunt, who hit eight homers and knocked in 51 runs in '09. This lineup should be solid. But again, it needs more power.
4. Starting rotation once again must be solid
This is another department where the Bulls should feel confident. They had a solid weekend rotation last season and welcome back two of three starting pitchers, including Randy Fontanez and Derrick Stultz. The Bulls also welcome back Teddy Kaufman, who started 11 games and made 13 appearances last season. This once again should be a very solid unit. Fontanez is the staff ace and is coming off a great campaign. He started 13 games last season and had a 3.09 ERA in 99 innings. He also struck out 57 and walked 24 and limited teams to a .250 batting average. Stultz made 13 starts last season and had a 4.48 ERA in 76 1/3 innings. He struck out 63 and walked 27 and limited teams to a .244 average. There also is Kaufman, who compiled a 5.86 ERA in 58 1/3 innings in '09. This could be a great rotation if Kauman or a newcomer rises to the occasion.
5. Get more consistent production from the bullpen
The Bulls certainly aren't expected to enter the spring with a bad bullpen. It actually should be solid if you ask me. But that's not to say there aren't some concerns. The Bulls welcome back key relievers such as Joe Cole and Kevin Quackenbush, who finished last season with ERAs of 3.79 and 3.94, respectively. But they also welcome back arms such as Matt Quevedo, Matt Reed, Matt Stull, Stephen Hunt and Kyle Eastham. Quevedo had his moments last season but still finished the campaign with a 5.21 ERA. Reed, Stull, Hunt and Eastham only pitched in limited action. Perhaps newcomer Ray Delphey, who had a fantastic performance in the fall series, will step in and provide a much-needed boost. This unit could be very good if it establishes some consistency.
