TAMPA, FEB. 21 2016 – The University of South Florida baseball team (2-1) utilized 6.0 innings of one-run baseball from pitcher Joe Cavallaro as well as three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to defeat Liberty University 6-5 on Sunday. The victory secured an opening weekend series win for the Bulls.
“I thought that was a good weekend of growth for us,” said USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston. “It was a tough, hard fought win. We had the tough loss last night that we had to bounce back from and I saw a lot of guys stepping up, helping us win, and that is what we are going to need.”
Trailing by a run, USF tied the game in the fourth. Designated hitter Luke Borders (Winter Haven, Fla.) reached on a leadoff walk and then scored on an RBI triple from infielder Michael Koenig (Eustis, Fla.). The first career-hit for Koenig then set up outfielder Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) for a go-ahead double to left field. Leading 2-1, the Bulls added to the advantage when Chatfield scored from third on a wild pitch.
Ahead by two, USF extended the lead in the fifth on a three-run home run from first baseman Duke Stunkel (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.). Stunkel's first home run as a Bull built a 6-1 cushion for Cavallaro.
Behind 6-1, Liberty narrowed the gap against the Bulls' bullpen with a two-run home run by Will Shepherd in the seventh and another two-run home run in the ninth inning from outfielder D.J. Artis. With two outs and the tying run at first, catcher Levi Borders threw out pinch runner Aaron Stroosma stealing to end the game and clinch the series win for USF.
Cavallaro (1-0) earns the win, going 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on five hits. He also struck out four Liberty batters. Evan Mitchell (0-1) takes the defeat for Liberty, yielding two runs in just 0.1 innings pitched. USF closer Tommy Eveld (Tampa, Fla.) recorded his first career save by throwing 2.0 innings to complete the series.
Infielder Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) tallied another two-hit game for the Bulls. The RBI for Chatfield was the first of his collegiate career. Koenig ended the day 1-for-3 with a hit, a run scored, and an RBI. Six different Bulls scored the team's six runs.
USF returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 23 when the Bulls host Florida Gulf Coast. Start time is set for 6:30 p.m. at USF Baseball Stadium. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com.
The University of South Florida baseball team is one of the fastest rising programs in the country. Under the guidance of first year head coach Mark Kingston, the Bulls reached the NCAA Regionals last season for the first time in 13 years and USF followed that success with a consensus Top 10 recruiting class. The team returns outfielder Kevin Merrell, who was named an NCBWA Freshmen All-American last season after leading the Bulls in batting average (.346), runs (45), hits (83) and stolen bases (21). Senior catcher Levi Borders and senior outfielder Luke Maglich were both named to the 2016 Preseason All-Conference Team in the AAC. The USF Baseball program has won five conference titles and the Bulls have made 11 NCAA appearances. Follow the baseball team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
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