TAMPA, APRIL 19, 2016 – The University of South Florida baseball team (18-19) received a career-high 7.0 innings and seven strikeouts from pitcher Michael Clarkson (Oldsmar, Fla.) to fuel a 6-2victory over Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday night.
“This was a team that beat us up pretty good a month and a half ago,” said USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston. “To come back out and respond the way that we did, I was impressed.”
USF seized the early advantage in the first when outfielder Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.) reached on a leadoff single, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error and scored on a Duke Stunkel Jr. sacrifice fly.
Ahead 1-0, the Bulls padded their lead in the second when outfielder Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) plated infielder Coco Montes (Miami) on an RBI single to left.
Bethune-Cookman (16-22) then cut the deficit in half with a solo home run in the third.
Up 2-1, Chatfield struck again in the fourth with another RBI single, his second of the night.
Clarkson utilized the advantage by retiring 10 hitters in a row during the middle innings. When the redshirt-senior did encounter a jam in the sixth, he persevered by leaving a runner at third and retiring the tying run on a groundout. Despite allowing a run in the seventh, he also left another two men in scoring position.
Leading 3-2, the Bulls put the game away with a three run seventh inning. A wild pitch forced in an extra run for USF and Genord brought home two more with a single to center field.
Relievers Andrew Perez (Orlando, Fla.) and Tommy Eveld (Tampa) threw 1.0 scoreless innings each to complete the Bulls' 6-2 victory.
Clarkson improves to 1-3 with the win. He allowed just two runs on a walk and six hits.
“My goal every start is not to walk anyone, to throw as many first pitch strikes, and to try and go deep in the game,” said Clarkson.
Genord reached base four times in the contest on a pair of singles, a walk, and a hit by pitch. He set a new career best with two runs scored, while also matching his career high in hits and RBIs. Genord has also reached base in six straight games.
Chatfield ended the night 2-for-4 with two RBI singles. It was his third multi-RBI game and sixth multi-hit performance.
Stunkel Jr. moved his hit streak to 10 with a fifth inning single.
Outfielder Luke Maglich (Sarasota, Fla.) also posted two hits as well.
Montes worked two walks in the contest, tying his career high.
USF returns to American Athletic Conference play when the Bulls play at Houston this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. beginning on Sunday.
Next week, USF will be back at home to host Florida International University on April 26 at 6:30 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 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 -
