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CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2015) — After scoring just five runs in the first two games of the season, the USF offense exploded for 12 runs on 15 hits, including four multi-run innings, in the series finale of the USF Opening Weekend Challenge as they defeated Alabama State, 12-4, Sunday evening.

The offense was hot from the start as the Bulls plated four runs in the first inning. Freshman Kevin Merrell, playing in the leadoff spot, singled to center field before being advanced by senior Kyle Teaf on a sacrifice bunt. Junior Levi Borders singled to advance Merrell and Luke Maglich followed with a walk to load the bases. Daniel Portales walked to bring Merrell home. With one out. Luke Borders cleared the bases on a double through the left side to put the Bulls up 4-0.

After two scoreless innings, the Hornets (1-1) used a two-run double and one-run triple to pull within one of the Bulls with no outs in the fourth. However, a groundout, strikeout and fly out ended the threat leaving ASU with a runner at third.

The Bulls (2-1) earned back two of their runs in the bottom of the fourth on a throwing error that scored Zac Gilcrease and a fielder's choice that scored Merrell. In the fifth, the Bulls once again scored two runs on an Andres Leal RBI and a fielder's choice that credited Merrell with an RBI.

USF scored at least one run in the next three innings.

Lueck had an RBI single in the sixth, while Maglich and Portales each recorded an RBI in the seventh, giving USF it's fourth multi-run inning of the game. The final run of the evening came on Teaf's first hit of the season as he sent Gilcrease home on an RBI single.

ASU added one run in the seventh on an Einar Muniz RBI single.

Besides an explosive offense, the pitching staff recorded strikeout numbers similar to Friday's game against Cal State Fullerton. Starting pitcher Brandon Lawson had four strikeouts in four innings of work while Michael Farley picked up his first win of the season and a career-high seven strikeouts in just three innings of work. Ryan Valdes worked the final two innings, recording three strikeouts and just one hit.

Merrell continued his impressive weekend going 3-for-5 with three runs, three hits and a RBI. In his first start of the season, Portales went 2-for-4, knocking in two runs and scoring twice.

ASU used eight pitchers against the Bulls with starter Charles Taylor (0-1) taking the loss after giving up six runs (four earned) in just 3.1 innings.

The Bulls are back in action Wednesday, Feb. 18 as they welcome the fifth-ranked Florida Gators to town for the USF home opener. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the USF baseball team, follow @USFBaseball on Twitter.