TAMPA - Down two runs with two outs in the ninth inning, Junior Carlin tripled to left scoring Jonathan Koscso, but pinch-runner Jimmy Falla was thrown out at the plate to end the game and USF's comeback chances in a 10-9 loss to Florida Gulf Coast (28-13) on Tuesday night.

The Bulls (19-23) got a walk from Koscso and a single by Todd Brazeal with two out in the ninth, but were unable to tie the game as Falla was gunned down on bang-bang play at the dish.

The exciting ninth capped a windy game, which allowed both offenses to combine for 19 runs on 21 hits, while starting pitching struggled as both teams combined to use 12 players on the mound.

Carlin was one of the USF batters to take advantage of the wind as he sent a fastball over the wall in left for his second career home run, and his second in as many games.

Stephen Hunt continued to lead the Bulls offensively, as his bat and the helpful wind allowed him to go 2-5 from the plate with three RBIs. The multi-hit and multiple RBI game was the team-high 17th multi-hit game of the season and his team-best eighth multi-RBI game of the year 

The conditions were not ideal for the pitchers on Tuesday, as both teams' starters failed to get past the second inning. USF starter Matt Reed lasted 2.0 innings allowing five runs, four earned, on three hits while walking a pair and striking out one. 

FGCU starter Kevin Bryant was one of eight pitchers the Eagles used on the night, and he lasted just 1.0 inning although he did not allow a run or a hit in the appearance.

Patrick Nathanson (4-2) earned the win for Florida Gulf Coast, while Kevin Quackenbush (1-3) took the lost on the night. 

Gulf Coast started the scoring in the top of the first as Zach Maxfield doubled down the left field line to score  Stephen Wickens, who led the game off with a single up the middle.

Both teams went quietly until the bottom of the second when the Bulls' offense exploded.

Brazeal led off the second with a double to left-center, and would come in to score as Carlin launched his homer to left.

With runners on the corners and two outs, Alex Mendez singled to score Sam Mende and give USF the 3-1 lead. Jonathan Koscso reached on an error to plate Llerena and Mendez, and Koscso would score on a double by Hunt to give the Bulls a 6-1 lead.

FGCU responded by scoring four in the top of the third to cut the USF lead to one.

After the offensive flurry by both teams, both squads went down 1-2-3 in their next at-bats, but the scoring was only limited momentarily.

The Bulls took an 8-5 lead on a two-RBI double by Hunt to score Mendez and Taylor in the bottom of the fourth.

The Eagles added a run in the top of the fifth on a double by Alex Lozada. Then they cut the USF lead to 8-7 as they scored another in the sixth on an RBI ground out by Tim Roberson.

Florida Gulf Coast rallied in the top of the seventh for three runs to take a 10-8 lead, their first lead since the top of the first inning.

The Bulls rallied for one in the ninth to make it 10-9, but the tying run was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

USF travels to Coral Gables, Fla. for a Wednesday night clash with ACC power No. 11 Miami at 7 p.m.

GAME NOTES:
Stephen Hunt recorded his team leading 17th multi-hit game of the season, and his team-best eighth multi-RBI game of the year against the Eagles … He is tied with Junior Carlin for most multi-hit games who had his 17th multi-hit game of the season… Carlin extended his hitting streak to 10 games on a two-run home run in the second inning against Florida Gulf Coast… Carlin hit his second home run of his career in the second inning against FGCU with the first coming in Sunday's loss to Villanova… Todd Brazeal went 2-for-4 which raised his average to a season high .285... In his last six games, he is 12 for his last 22 at-bats with four multi-hit games.