TAMPA, FLA., April 28, 2019 – Freshman Alex Bello hit a two-run walk-off home run in the ninth to give the USF baseball team a series win over Houston with Sunday's 4-3 decision.
 
The Bulls (21-21, 4-11 The American) tallied runs in the fourth and fifth lead 2-0 over the Cougars (26-18, 9-9 The American). Senior righty Alex Wisely (Jacksonville, Fla.) was cruising through six scoreless, allowing just three hits.
 
Houston began to threaten in the seventh, putting two into scoring position with one away. Junior righty Nelson Alvarez (Miami) came in and got out of the jam. In the eighth, Houston again threatened and were able to capitalize, plating three to take a lead.
 
Senior Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.) led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, then two batter later, Bello (Miami) turned into the Hialeah hero with just his second homer of the season.
 
Key Stats
10 – The Bulls tallied double-digit hits (10) for the 16^th time this season.
2 – Senior Kyle Phillips (Orlando) and freshman Julio Cortez (Miami) led the way with two hits apiece.
6 – USF has won six of its last seven games.    

Nota-Bulls

• Wisely went 6.2 innings, allowing just six hits with five strikeouts.
• Junior Jordan Santos (Tampa) had a RBI in the fifth.
• Alvarez earned the win, improving to 4-1 on the year.
• Bello scored two runs and also walked twice.
• The Bulls continued their support of pediatric cancer research by shaving their heads post game with the help of Great Clips. The team has raised more than $10,000 this season.

Up Next

The Bulls remain home for a matchup against Stetson Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.        

About USF Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball team is one of the fastest rising programs in the country. The Bulls reached the NCAA Regionals in 2015 for the first time in 13 years and followed that success with a 42-19 record and second NCAA regional trip in three years in 2017. The Bulls continued the success under first-year head coach Billy Mohl in 2018, reaching 36 wins and advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2012, while being ranked in multiple polls for the final two months. USF earned its third NCAA Regional berth in the last four seasons and had six all-conference selections in 2018. The team had four players drafted in the 2018 MLB Draft, including the program's fourth first rounder, Shane McClanahan. Junior third baseman David Villar was taken in the 11^th round after tallying 24 doubles and hitting better than .370, being named first team all-conference and an All-American. The USF Baseball program has won five conference titles and the Bulls have made 13 NCAA appearances.
 
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