TAMPA, APRIL 30, 2016 – University of South Florida (21-22, 6-8) baseball player Luke Maglich (Sarasota, Fla.) clubbed a two-run home run in the first inning, made a game-saving, diving double play in the eighth and hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth as the Bulls defeated the UCF Knights 5-4 on Saturday night.
Maglich's third walk-off hit of the season, and the team's fourth walk-off of the year, earns USF a series win over UCF (21-24, 5-9) and the Bulls will be playing for a series sweep on Sunday at noon.
“I thought it was a huge win for us,” said Maglich. “We got out to a big lead right away, we faced a lot of adversity and were able to hang in there…we found a way to get on in the ninth and the rest of it was history.”
The Bulls leapt ahead in the bottom of the first when infielder Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) reached on a leadoff single, and Maglich crushed a two-run home run to right field. It was the first home run this season for Maglich and 11th for the soon to be USF graduate.
Up 2-0, the Bulls added to the lead with a two-out rally in the third. Catcher Joe Genord (Lake Worth, Fla.) reached on a two-out single and scored on a Coco Montes (Miami) run scoring double to center field. Montes was then plated on a Merrell single up the middle for the 4-0 advantage.
USF starting pitcher Brandon Lawson (Brooksville, Fla.) retired the first six batters he faced until the Knights posted two runs (one earned) in the third and another two runs in the fourth.
Even at four, USF threatened to retake the lead in the fourth. With two men in scoring position and one out, the Knights turned to reliever Harrison Hukari, who recorded back to back outs to keep the Bulls from scoring.
Still tied, Lawson left a runner at third with back to back outs in the fifth and also stranded another runner in scoring position in the sixth.
Deadlocked at four, UCF seemed poised to take the lead in the eighth. Facing the USF bullpen, the Knights loaded the bases with one out. The Bulls then turned to reliever Andrew Perez (Orlando), who induced a shallow line drive to right. Maglich came racing in to make a diving catch, rose to his feet and then threw to first for an inning-ending double play.
The momentum carried to the bottom of the ninth when Merrell hit a one-out single up the middle, and stole second. Following an intentional walk, Maglich then drove a long fly ball to left that sailed over Matt Diorio's head for the game-winning RBI double.
Maglich was mobbed by his teammates at second base as the crowd of 2,794 fans, the third largest in USF Baseball Stadium history, went wild.
The Bulls have now won three of the five meetings with the Knights this season and will be competing for a series sweep on Sunday.
Maglich tied his season-highs with three hits and three RBIs. He recorded two doubles and a home run in the game, moving his hit streak to eight.
Merrell also had a strong showing for USF, matching his season-highs with three hits and two runs scored. The sophomore's three stolen bases are a new career-high and he is a perfect 15-for-15 this season. Merrell also reached base four times in the game and has reached base in nine consecutive contests.
Genord finished the night 3-for-4 with a run scored. The three hits tied his career best.
Reliever Andrew Perez threw 1.2 hitless innings for his first career win.
Lawson received the no decision, despite allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits. He also had a walk and eight strikeouts. His 83 strikeouts are the most in the American Athletic Conference this season.
USF eyes a series sweep of UCF on Sunday at noon. The Bulls will have right-hander Joe Cavallaro (Venice, Fla.) on the mound. The Knights have not yet named a probable starter.
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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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