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Cincinnati, Ohio (March 28, 2014) – Jimmy Herget struck out a season high 11 batters and Nik Alfonso knocked in both runs as USF defeated Cincinnati 2-1 Friday night in an American Athletic Conference tilt at Marge Schott Stadium.

USF scored their only runs in the ballgame in the second inning thanks in part to a fielding error by the Bearcats that extended the inning.  With two down and a runner on first, Levi Borders walked followed by a Zac Gilcrease single to leftfield loading the bases.  Nik Alfonso then worked a full count before delivering a two-run single to centerfield plating Lawrence Pardo and Borders.

Neither team threatened throughout the rest of the ballgame until the ninth inning when Cincinnati scored their lone run of the contest. 

Jordan Strittmatter came to begin the inning and quickly got a fly out to start off the frame.  From there, he walked two batters and hit another to load the bases.  Strittmatter struck out Jake Richmond for the second out of the inning before throwing a wild pitch allowing the Bearcats to score their only run of the game.  A fly out to leftfield sealed the victory for USF.
 
Herget picked up his fourth win of the year tossing eight solid innings.  He struck out 11 batters, walked three and allowed only four hits on the night.  Strittmatter threw the final inning for the Bulls to earn his third save of the year.

Alfonso, Gilcrease, Luke Maglich and Daniel Portales each had a hit on the night for the Bulls.  Buddy Putnam saw his 20 game streak of reaching base safely come to an end.

Connor Walsh (2-4) threw his first complete game for Cincinnati allowing a pair of unearned runs on four hits and three walks.  He also struck out four in the 132 pitch effort.

Woody Wallace and Matt Williams each had two hits to account for all the hits the Bearcats had on the night.

USF improves to 16-9 on the year and 3-1 in The American while UC falls to 8-15 overall and 0-4 in league action.

The sides are scheduled to play game two of the series tomorrow afternoon.  First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Marge Schott Stadium.