TAMPA, APRIL 26, 2016 – In a game that featured three ties and three lead changes, the University of South Florida baseball team (19-22) was defeated by FIU 6-5 on Tuesday night. The Bulls had the tying run in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings but the Panthers held on for the narrow non-conference victory.
FIU (20-22) threatened first by loading the bases in the opening frame but USF pitcher Michael Clarkson (Oldsmar, Fla.) recorded back to back outs to keep the contest scoreless.
The Bulls carried the momentum to the bottom of the inning when outfielder Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.) reached on a hit by pitch, stole second and scored on a Duke Stunkel Jr. (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) RBI single.
Down 1-0, FIU evened up the score with a run producing single in the second. The Panthers then went ahead with a two-run third inning.
Trailing 3-1, USF tied the contest again in the bottom of the third on a two-run triple from outfielder Luke Maglich (Sarasota, Fla.).
Even at three, FIU tried to leap ahead in the fifth, putting men at first and second with one out. That was when the Bulls turned to reliever Andrew Perez (Orlando, Fla.), who induced a foul popup and recorded a strikeout to end the Panthers' rally. USF then rewarded Perez with a Stunkel Jr. RBI triple in the bottom of the inning for the 4-3 advantage. It was the first triple of Stunkel Jr.'s career at USF.
Perez kept the one run lead until the seventh. After retiring five straight hitters, the freshman left-hander incurred some trouble as FIU not only tied the game but also went ahead with a three run inning.
In a 6-4 deficit, USF got a run back on a Joe Genord (Lake Worth, Fla.) run scoring groundout in the eighth. The Bulls also brought the tying and go ahead runs into scoring position, but reliever Dominic LoBrutto escaped the eighth inning jam with the lead. Closer Williams Durruthy also left the tying run at second in the ninth as FIU claimed the victory.
Clarkson received the no decision for USF. He allowed three runs in 4.1 innings pitched.
Perez (0-4) tossed 2.0 innings, yielding three runs in relief. It was the first runs he allowed since April 3 and the first multi-run outing dating back to March 1.
Eveld threw 2.2 hitless innings for the Bulls at the backend of the bullpen.
Stunkel Jr. led USF offensively with three hits, a new career-high. The sophomore also matched his career best with two runs scored. He also added two RBIs for his second career multi-RBI game and first since Feb. 21.
Maglich ended the night 2-for-4 with two RBIs, moving his hitting streak to six consecutive games. The triple was his team-high third of the season. It was also his eighth triple as a Bull, moving him into 10th place in the USF history books.
Zech's two runs matched his career high.
USF continues their season high seven game homestand on Friday when the Bulls begin a weekend series with UCF. Game times are set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a special noon start on Sunday.
Friday's festivities include Rivalry Weekend and Gulf Coast Tractor Entitlement Night. The first 250fans in attendance will also get a baseball cord necklace.
Bark with the Bulls will take place on Saturday. Each fan is allowed to bring up to two dogs to the baseball/softball doubleheader. The first 50 fans to the team store will get a free USF branded leash.
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.
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