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By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, MARCH 12, 2014 – Head coach Lelo Prado said the Bulls will be getting better in a hurry following an 8-2 loss to No. 19 FIU on Wednesday night at USF Baseball Stadium.

FIU (16-1) collected 18 hits, capitalized off three USF errors and broke up a 2-2 tie with a five-run seventh inning in the first of three meetings between the programs this season. 

“We have to get it going. We had opportunities there when the game was tied and we didn't do a good job,” Prado said. “We didn't pitch well in certain spots, but we will get better I can promise you that.”

Starter Jimmy Herget (Tampa) shook off a two-run first inning and took the Bulls in the seventh before exiting the game with an out in the inning. FIU scored four runs with two outs in the frame while USF used five relievers the rest of the way. Herget gave up 12 hits and was charged with five runs (four earned).

USF (11-6) cut its deficit to 2-1 thanks to a fielding error in the second inning and tied things up in the fifth with an RBI single by Nik Alfonso (Tampa). The Bulls' offense generated five hits with two coming from junior Buddy Putnam (Bartow, Fla.).

Brandon Gomez went 4-for-4 while Julius Gaines, Aramis Garcia and Edwin Rios each collected three hits apiece for FIU, which has won six consecutive games following a loss to Dartmouth on March 1.

The Bulls look to bounce back during a three-game series against Rhode Island beginning 7 p.m. Friday at USF Baseball Stadium. Saturday's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and Sunday's series finale is set for a 1 p.m. start. Purchase tickets for the series HERE.