TAMPA -The University of South Florida baseball team (19-21 overall, 10-5 BIG EAST) mounted a late rally against Villanova (21-16, 3-12) on Sunday, but could not complete the series sweep, as the Bulls fell to the Wildcats 9-7.

USF used seven different pitchers and allowed 10 runs on 13 hits in the series finale.

Teddy Kaufman (4-2) got the start for the Bulls in the finale of the three-game set but lasted just 1.2 innings and allowed four runs, one earned, on three hits, while striking out one and walking two.  This was Kaufman's first start since March 27 against Notre Dame.

Kyle McMyne (5-5) earned the win for the Wildcats.  He  pitched five innings, allowed six runs on six hits and struck out eight and walking three.

Junior Carlin hit his first career home run and went 2-4 in the game.  He also scored two runs while driving in one, for his team-leading 16th mulit-hit game of the season.

Redshirt Freshman Alex Mendez went 3-4 from the plate with two RBI and a run scored. The three hit performance was Mendez second three-hit game of the year.

Freshman catcher Eric Sim snapped out of an offensive slump as he collected three hits in four at-bats and drove in two runs while scoring one in the loss.

Kaufman got into trouble early in the first as Villanova loaded the bases.  He allowed an RBI single to Chris Johnson, before getting out of the jam with an inning-ending double-play.

The Wildcats piled it on in the top of the second as they got an RBI double from Dain Hall and a one-run single from Matt Szczur to take the early 4-0 lead.

USF would answer in the bottom of the third.

Alex Mendez began the third with a walk for the Bulls, followed by singles from Luis Llerena and Eric Sim to load the bases for Sam Mende. Mende delivered a single to left field to cut the Villanova lead to 4-2.

Villanova added another pair in the top of the fourth, but the Bulls answered right back again.

Junior Carlin led off the bottom of the fourth with his first career homer, which just clearing the wall in left. The Bulls added another two out run on a RBI groundout by Sim to score Mendez and cut the lead 6-4.

The Wildcats extended their lead again in the fifth as they got three runs on a pair of hits, including a leadoff home run by David Koczirka, as well as a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch to take the 9-4 lead.

The Bulls got a pair of walks to begin the sixth from Carlin and Todd Brazeal to end the McMyne's outing. USF added singles from Mendez and Sim to score two and cut the Nova lead back to three, 9-6.

USF and Villanova each added a run, but the Wildcat bullpen held for the win 10-7.

The Bulls will be back in action on Tuesday night as they host Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Game Notes
Starter Teddy Kaufman made his first start since March 27 against Notre Dame… He was sidelined with a left forearm strain… Kaufman lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up four runs, three earned on three hits… Junior Carlin's fourth inning home run was the first of his collegiate career… Junior Daniel Rockhold's 13 game hit streak was halted at 13 games.