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Piscataway (May 10, 2014) – USF scored three runs in the eighth inning to retake the lead but eventually fell 5-4 in 11 innings to Rutgers in game two of a three game American Athletic Conference series at Bainton Field.
USF is now an even 25-25 on the year, the first time this season they are not above .500, and 10-13 in The American. Rutgers improves to 26-22 overall and 11-8 in conference play.
Both teams put a run on the scoreboard in the first inning as Kyle Teaf scored on a wild pitch with one out for the Bulls. Rutgers got their run on a fielder's choice ground out.
RU took a 2-1 lead in the third inning as they got a two-out double by Nick Favatella followed by a RBI single into leftfield from the bat of Brian O'Grady.
The Bulls twice had at least two runners on base in an inning but were unable to capitalize until the eighth inning when they scored three runs. Teaf began the frame with a triple down the right field line but was thrown out at home on a groundout to the shortstop with the infield halfway in on the turf surface.
A two-base throwing error on a Daniel Portales slow chopper past the pitching mound put a pair of runners in scoring position with one out. After a pop out, Austin Lueck beat out an infield single tying the game at two-all. Lawrence Pardo gave the Bulls the lead with a single through the right side while Levi Borders tacked on another run with a single through the left side plating Lueck.
Casey Mulholland gave the USF offense a chance to mount a rally as he retired 16 batters in a row until he surrendered double to start off the bottom of the ninth. Following a pitching change, Rutgers loaded the bases with two consecutive walks again forcing another USF pitching change, this time bringing in Jordan Strittmatter. Facing a bases loaded no out situation, the right-hander did all he could limiting the damage and forcing extra innings as the Scarlet Knights got a RBI fielder's choice and single to knot the game at four.
In the 10th, Buddy Putnam singled down the leftfield line and took second on a throwing error with one out but was stranded. USF had a pair of runners on in the 11th as well but couldn't knock in the go-ahead run.
Rutgers finally ended the ballgame in the 12th with a single into leftfield by Favatella that plated Michael Zavala who singled with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Mulholland got a no-decision for the Bulls tossing eight innings allowing three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four. Strittmatter worked 1.1 innings of scoreless ball while Nolan Thomas (0-2) suffered the loss allowing one run in 2.1 innings of action. Teaf led the offense going 3-for-5 with a walk and run scored. Lueck and Pardo each had two hits for USF as well.
Gaby Rosa started the contest for Rutgers lasting seven innings. He allowed a pair of unearned runs on five hits and struck out two. Jon Young earned the winning working 2.2 innings of shutout ball. Favatella paced the offense going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI while O'Grady also picked up two hits.
USF and Rutgers will wrap-up the series tomorrow afternoon with first pitched moved up to 12:00 p.m. at Bainton Field.
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