TAMPA - Junior Daniel Rockhold had his hand in five Bull runs, including a steal of home, as the University of South Florida clinched the series with a 7-2 win over Villanova Saturday night at Red McEwen Field.

Rockhold, who extended his hit streak to a team-high 13 games, continues to be the spark for the Bulls lineup.

The Lakeland native went two-for-five at the plate, driving in three and scoring two more and in doing so raised his average to a season high .297.

After giving the Bulls a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first with a two-ru double down the left field line, Rockhold stole home off Villanova starter Kyle Helisek. The lefty was working out of a wind up, which allowed Rockhold to get a huge jump and beat the throw.

The theft of home marked the first Bull to accomplish the feat since Walter Diaz stole home against High Point in 2007.

From there Bulls stater Andrew Barbosa took over.

The 6'8 lefty shook off a first inning solo home run by Dain Hall and allowed just one run over the 6.2 innings, striking out 10 Wildcats.

He struck out the side in both the second and fifth innings. Barbosa did scatter seven hits but only allowed one free pass on the night en route to his team leading fifth win.

With Barbosa cruising on the bump, the USF lineup provided the southpaw some run support.

USF posted a three spot in the third to give Barbosa plenty of working room.

With runners on first and second and not outs, the Bulls executed a perfect hit-run as Rockhold sent a liner through the right side to score Jonathan Koscso. Todd Brazeal also had a run scoring single in the frame that plated Hunt.

Rockhold came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Andrew Longley.

Villanova responded by touching Barbosa for a second run in the fourth but that was all as the lefty combined with reliever Kevin Quackenbush to shut down the Wildcats.

Quackenbush worked two innings of scoreless relief, striking out four while not allowing a hit.

With a 6-2 lead, the Bull tacked on a final run in the sixth as Luis Llerena scored on a passed ball.

Llerena was one of two Bulls to collect three hits on the night. Brazeal also had three hits and raised his average to a season high .287 by going 3-for-4. Stephen Hunt and Rockhold, who both scored twice, collected a pair of hits each.

USF outhit the Wildcats 13-7 on the evening.

The Bulls will look for the series sweep of the Wildcats Sunday at Noon at Red McEwen Field. Senior lefty Teddy Kaufman will make his first start since March 27, the series finale against Notre Dame.

Game Notes
USF has now won 22 of their last 23 BIG EAST Games at Red McEwen Field and are perfect 8-0 in 2010... The Bulls have won their last 10 conference series at Red McEwen ... USF is 16-6 when they out hit their opponents... Daniel Rockhold extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a first inning two-run double... Rockhold stealing home was just his second stolen base of the season...With his three hit outing, Todd Brazeal has had three hits in three of his last four games... The three hit performance by Luis Llerena is the second of the season for him... Andrew Barbosa struck out 10 Wildcats and has now struck out double digits in three of his last four starts... He has tallied 10 or more strikeouts four times this year ... Barbosa, the BIG EAST leader in strikeouts, now has 81 strikeouts in just 67.0 innings pitched... His fifth win is the most by a Bulls pitcher... Kevin Quackenbush made his team leading 16th appearance... He has struck out 31 batters in 17.0 innings pitched.