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NEW ORLEANS (May 8, 2015) – An eight-run ninth inning was the catalyst for the USF baseball team's 30th win and sixth shutout of the season as the Bulls topped Tulane 12-0 Friday night. The Bulls improved to 30-19-1 and 11-8 in the American while Tulane dropped to 29-19 and 9-10.
The ninth inning began with Kyle Teaf reaching after being hit by a pitch and ended with a strikeout by the 12th batter of the inning. All nine starters recorded a hit and reached base while eight of nine scored a run in the inning. Teaf and Zac Gilcrease each recorded an RBI double, while Kevin Merrell picked up his 22nd bunt single of the season.
USF took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Teaf doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by Merrell. Junior Levi Borders hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Teaf and give the Bulls the early lead.
With two outs, right fielder Luke Maglich drew a walk to extend his on-base streak to 21 games. Two passed balls moved the junior around to third before he scored on the third passed ball of the inning.
The Bulls would plate another run in a strange third inning. Merrell singled with one out, but was picked off to put two outs on the board. Levi Borders and Maglich hit back-to-back singles to put two on for Luke Borders. An attempted double steal allowed Levi to steal third, while Maglich got caught in a rundown. As the Tulane defense attempted to catch Maglich, Levi scored on the play and Maglich was able to slide back safely to first.
Lueck helped the Bulls add an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Luke Borders led off the inning with a single to the shortstop. A sacrifice bunt and groundout moved him to third before Lueck singled up the middle to drive Borders home.
Jimmy Herget picked up his 22nd career win to move him to 8-2 on the season and into 10th place all-time in USF history. The junior scattered five hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking just three.
The Bulls set a season-high with 17 hits in the game and won by their largest margin of victory. Andres Leal led the way with a 3-for-5 night while Maglich and Luke Borders each went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. Teaf went 2-for-4 with both hits earning him extra bases.
USF and Tulane will meet for game two of the series Saturday, May 9, at 3 p.m. EST. The Bulls will look to clinch another conference series with a win in game two.
For more information on the USF baseball team, follow @USFBaseball on Twitter.
- #GoBulls -
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