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TAMPA, MARCH 9, 2014 – USF held a 4-2 lead late in the ballgame but eventually fell 6-4 to Northwestern in the final game of the series Sunday afternoon at USF Baseball Stadium.

The Bulls still won the series wining the first two games of the three-game set on Friday and Saturday and now stand at 11-5 on the year. 

USF had to play catchup from the outset as Northwestern scored a run in each of the first two innings to lead 2-0.

In the home half of the second, Hayden Kelley (Tampa) walked followed by back-to-back singles by Vincent Miniet (Tampa) and Zac Gilcrease (Tampa) loaded the bases for USF.  A hard hit ball up the middle turned into a double play but allowed Kelley to score.  Kyle Teaf (Tallahassee) then surprised the defense with a bunt attempt with two outs forcing a high throw to first bringing home Miniet and tying the game at 2-2.

In the fifth, USF again got its first three hitters on before Luke Maglich (Sarasota) hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Nik Alfonso (Tampa) on the play and giving the Bulls their first lead of the game.  Daniel Portales (Tampa) drove in the final run for the green and gold with a single up the middle allowing Levi Borders (Winter Haven) to cross the plate.

After pushing two across in the first two innings, Northwestern was held scoreless until the seventh which was aided by some erratic pitching by USF.  With runners in scoring position, two consecutive batters for Northwestern were hit by a pitch to force in a run.  A two-run single and a sacrifice fly brought in the final three runs for the Wildcats.

Dan Tyson (1-0) earned the win for NU throwing 125 pitches over eight innings.  He allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a pair of walks.  Jack Quigley pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save.

Michael Farley started the game for USF and was in line for the win after tossing five innings.  Joe Adel (2-1) suffered the loss working 0.1 innings giving up two runs.

Offensively, Levi Borders and Portales each had two hits in the game for the Bulls.

Luke Dauch was 3-for-4 with two runs scored for Northwestern.  Scott Heelan and Zach Jones both drove in two as well.

USF returns to the diamond on Wednesday, March 12 when it welcomes No. 21 FIU to USF Baseball Stadium.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.