TAMPA, APRIL 10, 2016 – In a game featuring three ties and three lead changes, the University of South Florida baseball team (16-16, 2-4 The American) rallied late to top Memphis 7-5 on Sunday afternoon.
Infielder David Villar (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) matched his career best with four hits, including a home run, designated hitter Luke Borders (Winter Haven, Fla.) added a three-run home run and infielder Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) tacked on two RBIs to fuel the Bulls win.
“It was nice to see the offense pick up the pitching for a change,” said USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston. “It hasn't happened in a while so that was really good to see.”
Memphis (12-19, 3-3 The American) went ahead in the second inning on a Damo DeMatteo sacrifice fly.
USF then seized the lead in the third. The Bulls built a two out rally with back to back hits from infielders Duke Stunkel Jr. (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) and Villar. Then, both men scored on an inside the park Luke Borders home run to left field. The second Bulls inside the park home run of the season put USF ahead 3-1.
The Tigers then inched closer with another run in the fourth. Not to be outdone, the Bulls countered back in the home half of the inning with an additional run on a Merrell bunt for the 4-2 advantage.
Memphis then took their second lead of the game with a three-run fifth inning.
Trailing 5-4, the Bulls evened up the score on a Villar RBI single in the sixth and pulled ahead on a Merrell single in the seventh.
USF received some added insurance when Villar hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, his fourth round tripper of the season.
Reliever Brad Labozzetta (Lakeland, Fla.), who entered the game in the sixth, kept the Tigers from scoring any more runs until the ninth. Leading 7-5, Labozzetta yielded a leadoff double, bringing the tying run to the plate. That was when Darien Tubbs hit a foul pop up to first that was snared by a leaping Stunkel Jr. over the first base railing. Stunkel Jr. then had the presence of mind to throw to third, gunning out Zach Schritenthal who was trying to advance, and preserving the 7-5 USF win.
Labozzetta (2-4) received the win, going 4.0 scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out five batters.
Pitcher Joe Cavallaro (Venice, Fla.), who started the game for the Bulls, went 5.0 innings, surrendering five runs (two earned) in the no decision.
Villar led USF offensively with a 4-for-5 performance, two runs scored, a home run and two runs batted in.
The home run by Luke Borders was his first this season.
Merrell went 2-for-4 for the Bulls with a run scored and two RBIs.
Infielder Coco Montes (Miami) recorded two hits, extending his career-high hitting streak to six games.
Stunkel Jr. also went 1-for-4 with a run scored. He has hit safely in five straight contests.
The Bulls will remain at home to host North Florida on Tuesday. First pitch 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. Five players from that recruiting class are everyday starters in 2016 including outfielder Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.), who leads the team in home runs and RBIs, and outfielder Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.), who has the fourth most sacrifice bunts in the country. 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), visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information, and purchase tickets for upcoming games at USFBullsTix.com .
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