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Houston, Texas (April 19, 2014) – USF let a late lead slip away falling 5-3 Saturday afternoon to No. 12 Houston in an American Athletic Conference tilt at Cougar Field. 

The Bulls fall to 22-17 on the year and 8-7 in The American while Houston ups its mark to 29-10 overall and 6-6 in league play.

"We played hard all weekend," said head coach Lelo Prado.  Today we just let one get away from us.  We could have won all three games this weekend.  We are very close to being a good baseball team."

Unlike the first two games of the series, Houston got on the board first plating an unearned run on a Jordan Stading groundout in the second inning.

USF responded in the fourth scoring all three of their runs.  Lawrence Pardo and Daniel Portales began the frame with back-to-back walks.  Luke Maglich reached on a fielder's choice as he put down a bunt to move up the runners. Reliever Tyler Ford tried to get Pardo at third but he beat the throw loading the bases. 

Levi Borders then ripped one into centerfield that plated Pardo but Portales was thrown out at third as he couldn't venture far from second as the centerfield closed in on a potential catch.  Luke Borders followed that up with a single into leftfield plating Maglich from second base before Austin Lueck delivered a double down the right field line pushing across Levi Borders.  USF was unable to tack on to their lead as a popup and groundout ended the threat but not before the Bulls took a 3-1 lead.

The Cougars got one back in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single off the bat of Michael Pyeatt.

USF got runners on base in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning but were unable to add an insurance run.

Houston mounted its second comeback of the weekend in the eighth inning scoring three runs, two of which were unearned.  Pinch-hitter Jacob Lueneburg started the inning with a double into right field and was able to take third as the ball was mishandled in the outfield.  He then scored on a groundout to second base.  A throwing error and an intentional walk loaded the bases before two more walks forced in a pair of runs giving the Cougars a 5-3 advantage.

Luke Borders started off the ninth with a double down the leftfield line and Zac Gilcrease singled up the middle putting runners on first and third with one out but a double play ended the game.

Tommy Peterson tossed a career high seven innings allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four.  Janick Serrallonga fell to 1-2 as he surrendered two unearned runs in 0.2 innings of work.  Luke Borders and Lueck both went 2-for-4 with a RBI.  Maglich went 1-for-2 scoring once and was hit by a pitch.

Chase Wellbrock picked up the win for Houston tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless ball.  Jared West started the game but lasted only three innings allowing two runs on one hit and a pair of walks.  Tyler Ford was solid in relief throwing 4.1 innings allowing one run.  Pyeatt had the lone multi-hit performance for Houston going 2-for-3 with a run batted in. 

USF will return to USF Baseball Stadium for an eight game homestand beginning on Tuesday, April 21 when it welcomes FGCU to town.  USF defeated the Eagles 5-1 earlier in the season.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.