By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA – The Bulls' winning streak was snapped at four Wednesday afternoon after missing chances to cash in at the plate.

Jacksonville starter Alex McRae scattered five hits in seven innings and the Bulls ended up stranding 11 runners in a 9-2 loss to the Dolphins before a crowd of 841 at the USF baseball stadium.

USF starter Kyle Parker (0-2) lasted 3 1/3 innings after giving up five earned runs on six hits. The left-hander walked four and struck out two a day after the Bulls got a shutout performance from Matt Reed and two relievers in an 8-0 victory over the Dolphins.

“You're not always going to pitch shutouts. Offensively we didn't do a very good job of getting key hits,” USF head coach Lelo Prado said.

Jimmy Falla and James Ramsay were big exceptions at the plate for USF and combined for six of the team's nine hits.

Adam Walker gave the Dolphins a 2-0 lead in the first with a single past the shortstop that scored Dan Gulbransen and Taylor Ratliff.

The Bulls cut their deficit in half an inning later when Falla singled to right-center. A throwing error by the catcher sent Big East Player of the Week Daniel Rockhold home and Falla to third all on the same play.

Jonathan Murphy's two-run double to deep center gave Jacksonville a 4-1 advantage in the third. The Dolphins tacked on a run in the fourth and had a 7-1 lead through five innings after Murphy hit a two-run homer off Adrian Puig.

Jacksonville got an eight-run cushion in the eighth thanks to an RBI double by Jake Huxtable off Mike Clarkson and a sacrifice by Murphy.

USF threatened in the bottom of the eighth when Andrew Longley put runners on second and third with a two-out double down the line in left field. Jacksonville inserted Drew Woods, who got Falla to ground out.

McRae, a freshman, improved to 2-0 by scattering five hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out four, walked one and has gone at least seven innings in three of his four appearances this season.

Alex Mendez kept hope alive for the Bulls in the ninth by hitting an RBI triple down the line in left field with one out.

The Bulls (8-5) don't have to wait long to bounce back with a three-game home series against Eastern Illinois starting 7 p.m. Friday at the USF baseball stadium.