|
Like USF Baseball on Facebook
Follow @USFBaseball on Twitter
TAMPA (May 15, 2015) – A five-run seventh inning was the catalyst in the Bulls 7-3 victory over UCF Friday afternoon. The Bulls improved to 31-22-1 on the season and 12-11 in conference play while UCF fell to 31-24 and 10-13 in the American.
Tied at two, the fifth inning began with back-to-back singles from Austin Lueck and Kyle Teaf. Kevin Merrell recorded his 23rd bunt single of the year to load the bases with no outs for Luke Maglich. The junior right fielder singled to center field to score Teaf and Lueck and put the Bulls up 4-2.
With no outs on the board, Levi Borders recorded the fifth straight hit of the inning to score Merrell. After a sacrifice bunt by Buddy Putnam advanced the runners, Luke Borders doubled to clear the bases and give the Bulls the 7-2 lead.
UCF got on the board first with an RBI double by Kyle Marsh in the fourth inning. The Bulls would answer right back in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a two-out RBI double by Teaf to tie the game.
The Knights would pull ahead in the sixth, once again on an RBI double by Marsh.
USF had an answer though, loading the bases in the bottom half of the inning. Levi Borders reached on a fielder's choice and Buddy Putnam singled to put two on with one out. Luke Borders was walked to load the bases for Andres Leal. Leal hit a clutch sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Levi to tag up and score to once again tie the game.
The Knights would plate their final run with two outs in the eighth on an RBI single by Marsh.
Leading the Bulls offensively was Merrell, now batting .430 in conference play, who went 3-for-5 on the day with a run scored. Maglich was 2-for-5 with a run scored and two runs driven in. Teaf also recorded a multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and one driven in.
Michael Farley picked up the win in relief, throwing one inning of shutout ball. Tommy Peterson threw two innings in relief, striking out five and giving up just one run on two hits.
The rubber match of the series is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday, May 16. The seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony on the field.
For more information on the USF baseball team, follow @USFBaseball on Twitter.
- #GoBulls -
-
|
