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TAMPA (April 24, 2015)— A bases-loaded RBI single by senior Buddy Putnam was the game-winner as the USF baseball team recorded a 2-1 walk-off win over No. 22 Houston Friday night at the USF baseball stadium.

“That's a great college baseball game,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “No matter who won that game that was a great game. Both teams managed the game well to get out of tough situations and it was two really good teams who battled.”

Putnam was 3-for-3 on the night with two walks and his second walk-off hit of the season. The senior hit a walk-off, mercy-rule grand slam against Cincinnati in the first conference series of the season.

“There's nothing more fun than that,” Putnam said. “It's a great feeling.”

Jimmy Herget had an outstanding performance in a no-decision. The junior went nine innings, giving up just one unearned run on seven hits and striking out 11 to go with three walks. Tommy Peterson picked up his fourth win of the year, tossing 2.0 innings of one-hit ball.

It was a pitcher's duel through the first four innings as Herget and Houston's Andrew Lantrip went toe-to-toe, notching a combined 12 strikeouts. Houston was able to get the first run on the board in the top of the fifth after a double and a throwing error allowed the leadoff man to reach third. A sacrifice fly by Jason Montemayor plated Corey Julks to put the Cougars up 1-0.

USF tied the game in the seventh on a classic two-out rally. Luke Borders led off with a single and Putnam walked to put two on with two outs. Austin Lueck came through with a big single up the middle to plate Borders and tie the game at one-all.

The Cougars threatened in the eighth after a leadoff triple by Kyle Survance. However, a groundout and two swinging strikeouts by Herget kept Survance at third and the game knotted up.

The Bulls almost walked off in the ninth after getting Borders and Putnam both back on base. Andres Leal grounded into a double play to end the inning and send the game to extras.

USF is now 3-0-1 in extra inning games. The Bulls defeated Illinois 8-5 in 10 innings and walked-off against Cincinnati in 11.

The two teams will head back to the diamond Saturday, April 25, at 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network and fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends for 'Bark with the Bulls.'

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

- #GoBulls -