University of South Florida
Elon
Bulls Fall in Extras, 4-3, to Elon
February 26, 2011 | Baseball
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TAMPA - Opening up the new USF Baseball Stadium, the University of South Florida (0-4) could not hold a late 3-0 lead and eventually fell in extra innings in front of a record-setting crowd Friday evening. The 3,126 in attendance shattered the old record of 2,517 set last year against Florida.
After senior 3B Jonathan Kosco was hit by a pitch, junior Sam Mende christened the new stadium in his first at bat with a two-run opposite field home run, giving the Bulls a 2-0 advantage after an inning of play.
Koscso being hit marked the 56th time he has taken one for the team in his career, the most by a Bull in USF history.
Starting pitcher senior Randy Fontanez bounced back in a big way after a shaky first start at Florida. He threw 7.0 scoreless innings, scattering six hits and striking out three. Fontanez did not allow a free pass on the night.
In four separate innings, Fontanez escaped unscathed after allowing the lead-off man to reach. He would leave the game with a 3-0 lead, facing just three over the minimum, but did not factor in the decision.
In the sixth with one out, junior catcher Daniel Rockhold added to the Bulls lead with a solo shot to left to push the USF lead to 3-0.
In the eighth, Elon got on the board and put up a three spot on the USF bullpen.
Junior Jimmy Moran relieved Fontanez to begin the eighth but did not retire a batter after walking two and giving up an RBI double. All three runs scored were charged to Moran, two being earned. Elon tied the game at three after a wild pitch by Kevin Quackenbush on a strike three swinging, allowing the tying run to score.
Quackenbush (0-1) struck out seven batters in 2.1 inning but suffered the loss. His seven strikeouts were one shy of his career high of eight.
After Quackenbush got Harry Austin swinging for the first out of the 10th, he walked back-to-back batters and then intentionally walked the bases loaded. He was relieved by senior Zach Pietrzyk. With the bases loaded and one out, Pietrzyk struck out the first batter but then walked in the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run.
On the evening, the Bulls were out hit, 8-5, by Elon. Three of the Bulls hits were for extra bases, the home runs from Mende and Rockhold and a double by Chad Taylor.
USF will look to pick up their first win of the season as they send senior LHP Andrew Barbosa (0-1) to the mound. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Game Notes
Tonight's attendance was 3,126... Tonight's attendance shattered the old record of 2,517 set last year against Florida... Over 30 former USF baseball players returned for the stadium opener and threw out a ceremonial first pitch... Sam Mende's first-inning homer was the 12th of his career and Daniel Rockhold's sixth-inning homer was the ninth of his career... Rockhold has now hit safely in seven straight dating back to last season... Mende now has 17 multi-RBI games... Jonathan Koscso became the school's all-time leader in hit-by-pitches with 56... With three strike outs, Randy Fontanez moved into a tie for 10th in USF history with 226 career strikeouts... Kevin Quackenbush has struck out eight batters in 2.2 innings of work so far this season.
