TAMPA (MARCH 5, 2016) – The University of South Florida (6-4) baseball team scored four runs in the first inning and received another quality start from pitcher Brandon Lawson (Brooksville, Fla.) to secure a 7-3 win over Saint Joseph's (3-3) on Saturday night. The victory secures another series win for the Bulls who have won three consecutive weekend sets to begin the season.
“Lawson gave us a chance to win,” said USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston. “We only had four hits tonight so we needed a quality outing out of him.”
The Hawks initially leapt ahead on a first inning home run by catcher Deon Stafford Jr.
Down by one, the Bulls rallied back in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on two Saint Joseph's errors for a four-run frame. Outfielder Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) tied the game by working a bases-loaded walk. USF then went ahead on a Luke Maglich (Sarasota, Fla) sacrifice fly and the Bulls plated two additional runs on a dropped popup in the outfield.
Ahead 4-1, USF extended the lead on a second inning RBI groundout from infielder Duke Stunkel Jr. (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) and again in the third with a David Villar (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) hit and run, RBI single to left field.
Up by five, Lawson found himself in a jam. The right-hander encountered a bases loaded situation in the fourth but struck out designated hitter Brian Lau to keep the 6-1 edge.
Saint Joseph's did cut the deficit in half with a two-run sixth inning, but the Bulls' bullpen of Brad Labozzetta (Lakeland, Fla.) and Tommy Eveld (Tampa, Fla.) held the Hawks scoreless over the final three innings to complete the victory.
Lawson (2-0) earned the win, going 6.0 innings and yielding just three runs. He totaled nine strikeouts in the outing and has amassed 20 strikeouts over the last 12.0 innings pitched. The loss goes to SJU pitcher Ryan Otero (2-0). The brother of former Bulls pitcher Dan Otero ('07), Ryan allowed five runs (all unearned) in just 2.0 innings pitched.
Seven different USF players totaled the seven team runs. Maglich ended the night 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.
The Bulls will look to sweep the series on Sunday when they meet the Hawks for the final time this weekend. Pitcher Joe Cavallaro (1-0, 2.08 ERA) will be on the mound for USF against Saint Joseph's righty Tim Brennan (1-0, 3.00 ERA).
The homestand continues on Tuesday, March 8 when the Bulls host Florida State at USF Baseball Stadium. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Reserve your seats to all USF Baseball games 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 selected 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.
- #GoBulls -
