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TAMPA, MARCH 25, 2014 – The Bulls could only muster three hits in the ballgame and gave up five unearned runs in the second inning as they fell 9-0 to No. 30 FIU Tuesday night at USF Baseball Stadium.

“We didn't compete on the mound and then we booted a couple balls that we needed to make,” said head coach Lelo Prado.  “You have to play the game. I am just disappointed, but in baseball, you are going to have days like this.  We have to move forward, get two good days of practice and be ready to go.”

FIU (21-4) put the game away early in the second inning scoring seven runs thanks in part to two fielding errors.  Five different Panthers picked up a RBI in the inning including three RBI singles.  Of the seven runs to cross the plate, only two were earned.

USF (15-9) had its lone threat to get back in the ballgame in the third inning when Andres Leal and Michael Arencibia began the inning with back-to-back singles but a fly out and double play thwarted the rally attempt.

The Panthers closed out the scoring in the fifth when the first two batters singled and later came across on a RBI double by Josh Anderson.

Brandon Lawson (2-1), who made his first appearance since March 1, suffered the loss lasting just one inning allowing six runs, only two of which were earned.  In total, seven different pitches saw the mound on the night.

Mike Ellis improved to 4-2 on the year as he tossed four innings of three hit ball.  Three other relievers combined to preserve the shutout.  Tyler Hibbert went 3-for-3 for the Panthers while Josh Anderson, Julius Gaines and Brian Portelli each had two hits apiece.

USF is next in action this weekend when it travels to Cincinnati for a three-game American Athletic Conference series.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.