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By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, MARCH 1, 2014 – The Bulls began their doubleheader against Columbia with a 6-4 loss Saturday at USF Baseball Stadium.

USF (7-2) tied the game at 4 with a sacrifice fly by Buddy Putnam in the eighth, but Columbia (2-0) answered back with two runs in the ninth to take the second straight game of the weekend series.

The Bulls grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Luke Borders scored on a wild pitch before Columbia tied the game up with a run in the fourth frame. Daniel Portales went 2-for-4 and the freshman from Tampa gave the Bulls a 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the fifth.

Columbia responded with two runs in the sixth and USF cut its deficit to 4-3 with an RBI single to center from redshirt sophomore Nik Alfonso (Tampa).

Starter Casey Mulholland made his longest appearance as a Bull, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings. The junior right-hander struck out six and didn't surrender a walk.

Freshman Michael Farley got the loss after giving up two earned runs on three hits.

USF continues the doubleheader Saturday and the programs finish up their four-game series with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. back at USF Baseball Stadium.