FORT MYERS, Fla. (MARCH 22, 2016) – The University of South Florida baseball team (12-10) was defeated 4-3 at Florida Gulf Coast (11-11) on Tuesday night. Pitcher Michael Clarkson (Oldsmar, Fla.) threw 5.0 innings of one-hit ball in relief, and also set a new career-high with six strikeouts.
“Our pitching and defense was plenty good enough to win,” said USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston, “but we did not get the big hit when we had numerous opportunities and that is why we lost.”
The Bulls broke the scoreless tie in the third inning. Infielder Coco Montes (Miami) reached on an error, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from outfielder Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.) and scored on an RBI single from catcher Tyler Dietrich (Naples, Fla.)
Down by a run, FGCU rallied back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third and tallying another run in the fourth.
Trailing 4-1, USF countered with two runs in the fifth. The Bulls scored one run on an Eagles' fielding error and infielder Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) plated another run on an infield single.
Clarkson relieved Bulls starter Brad Labozzetta (Lakeland, Fla.) in the fourth, keeping FGCU from increasing the lead in the middle and late innings.
Behind 4-3, USF began the seventh inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases with no one out. FGCU starter Mario Leon then retired the next batter and reliever Sterling Koerner induced an inning-ending double play to prevent the game-tying run from scoring.
It would be the last threat by the Bulls as the Eagles closed out the one-run victory.
Labozzetta (1-4) receives the loss, allowing three runs in 3.0 innings pitched. Clarkson ended the night with 5.0 innings pitched, a new career-high for him out of the bullpen. He yielded just one run on four hits while also fanning six.
“Clarkson gave us another good outing and we need that out of him in the midweeks,” added Coach Kingston. “He did plenty to help us win today and I was happy with his performance.”
Montes was the lone Bull to score multiple runs with two. He went 1-for-3 in the contest, extending his hitting streak to four straight games.
Dietrich and Merrell each posted two hits each.
The Bulls return home on Friday to begin a three game weekend series with Dartmouth on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The first two contests will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the Sunday game is scheduled for 12 p.m. 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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