By KY-SHON HEPBURN

Special to GoUSFBulls.com

TAMPA - Senior Derrick Stultz gave the Bulls just what they needed Friday night.

Stutlz pitched seven shutout innings to lead USF (9-5, 0-0) past Eastern Illinois, 4-0, before a crowd of 907 at USF baseball stadium.

"That's the best he's pitched since he's been here and I couldn't be happier for him," said head coach Lelo Prado.

USF jumped out to an early lead with a three-run first inning. Big East player of the week Daniel Rockhold drove in Alex Mendez and Todd Brazeal hit a two-run RBI single to make the score 3-0.

The Bulls added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend their lead to 4-0 on an RBI single by Rockhold.

"We faced a really good pitcher and we got the hits when we need to," said Prado.

Stultz (3-0) pitched a no-hitter through six innings. It was broken up in the seventh, but he allowed just one hit and recorded a season-high eight strikeouts.

Austin Adams relieved Stutlz pitching two innings, allowing no hits and no runs.

"Adams did a great job at the end," said Prado.

The Bulls look to get another win in the series against Eastern Illinois at 6 p.m. on Saturday at USF baseball stadium.