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GAINESVILLE (May 29, 2015)— Behind an impressive pitching performance from Jimmy Herget and offensive domination by Kyle Teaf, the USF baseball team won its first game of the Gainesville Regional, 5-3, over FAU.
“I thought it was a very well-played game on both sides,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “I'm really proud of the team today. We didn't look like the moment was too big for us. The guys we're really excited to play, but they stayed loose and stayed focused.”
The win moved the Bulls to 34-24-1 overall, while FAU fell to 40-18. Tommy Peterson picked up his 16th save of the season as the Bulls won their first regional game since 2002.
Herget picked up his 10th win of the year and became just the 13th pitcher in USF history to do so. The junior right-hander gave up just three runs, two earned, and scattered nine hits across seven innings.
“We realized that it's been 13 years since we've been to a regional,” Herget said. “We just stressed 'stay loose' and we played it like it was any other day.”
Teaf went 4-for-5 at the plate, and was responsible for the first four runs scored as he drove in two and scored two. The senior shortstop hit two triples in the game to go with two singles.
“I just stuck to the approach we've had all year,” Teaf said. “I was fortunate to have a good day at the plate. I had a good BP and was feeling good going into the game.”
The Bulls jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Teaf led off with a triple and came home to score one batter later on an RBI single to centerfield by freshman second baseman Kevin Merrell.
FAU was quick to answer with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. A sacrifice fly by Brendon Sanger scored Stephen Kerr to tie the game. The Owls took the lead on a double by Roman Collins.
Free bases in the second inning helped the Bulls take back the lead. USF loaded the bases with one out on a hit-by-pitch, walk and Austin Lueck single. Teaf singled to score Andres Leal and Zac Gilcrease and put the Bulls on top 3-2.
The Owls tied the game up once again in the third on a throwing error by Leal. However, the tie would be broken quickly thanks to the power duo of Teaf and Merrell.
With one out, Teaf hit his second triple of the day and came home a batter later as Merrell doubled to bring him home and put USF up 4-3.
Herget and Peterson teamed up to shut down the Owls in the last five innings, giving up just three walks and one hit. A defensive relay started by Lueck in the fourth also helped the Bulls keep FAU off the board as a putout at the plate kept the tying run from scoring.
The Bulls tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh.
Levi Borders drew a two-out walk, followed up by a Buddy Putnam single. On a 1-0 count, Luke Borders singled to center field to score his brother and put the Bulls up 5-3.
A trio of seniors in Teaf, Putnam and Lueck combined for nine of the Bulls 12 hits. Putnam ended his day 2-for-5, while Lueck went 2-for-4. Merrell also had an impressive outing at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two runs batted in.
USF will play the winner of the Florida/FAMU game tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on the SEC Network.
For more information on the USF baseball team, follow @USFBaseball on Twitter.
- #GoBulls -
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