TAMPA (March 15, 2024) – The University of South Florida Bulls (10-7) had their chances on Friday night, but stranded 15 runners on base in an 8-3 loss to the UNC Greensboro Spartans (10-7) to open a three-game weekend series at USF Baseball Stadium.

South Florida had four bases-loaded opportunities in the game, including three with fewer than two outs, but only managed to plate three runs. The Bulls totaled eight walks and four hit-by-pitches, including three to Ben Rozenblum (Coral Springs), but couldn't capitalize on the free bases.

The biggest moment in the game came in the bottom of the seventh inning and was a call that went against the Bulls, who were looking to mount another late rally.

USF loaded the bases again with only one out. Two batters later, with two outs, Joaquin Monque (Weston) walked to force in a run and cut the USF deficit to 8-3. Kohl Robertson (Land O'Lakes) came on to pinch hit and was hit by a 2-2 pitch. But after review, umpires called Robertson out on the play rather than awarding him first base. The call took a run off the board, ended the inning and left Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) in the on-deck circle, who would have come to the plate with a chance to tie the game with one swing of the bat.

The tough breaks began with Brutcher in the bottom of the first inning, who missed a home run by inches and settled for a double on a ball that hit off the top of the padding on the left field fence and came back into play.

The Bulls' runs on Friday came on a double play ball, which halted the momentum of a bases-loaded with no-out situation in the first frame, an infield single by Jackson Mayo (St. Johns) in the second inning and Monque's bases-loaded walk.

Notable

• Brutcher went 2-for-4 on the night with one walk and continues to lead the NCAA in free passes (26).
• Brutcher has reached base safely in all 17 games this season and has at least one walk in 15 of 17 games.
• Riley Skeen (Pompano Beach) tossed two shutout innings in relief for the Bulls.
• Rozenblum is the first Bull to be hit by a pitch three times in a game since Jake Sullivan vs. The Citadel on April 20, 2019.   
• UNC Greensboro entered the series coming off an 18-3 win at No. 13 NC State.

Up Next

The Bulls and Spartans continue their weekend series on Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. in Tampa.     

Double Play Passes, which include one ticket to every home baseball and softball game, can be purchased now for $99. Group and single game tickets are also on sale and can be purchased here or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.

About USF Baseball

The USF Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and is entering its 59^th season in 2024 under head coach Billy Mohl (seventh season). The Bulls have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including four since 2015, and earned their first-ever Super Regional berth in 2021. USF was ranked in the Top 25 by five different publications in the final 2021 polls, checking in as high as No. 16. The Bulls have won five conference tournament titles (3 Sun Belt, 1 Metro and 1 American) and six regular season championships (3 Sun Belt, 2 Metro and 1 C-USA). USF baseball players have been recognized with All-America honors 12 times, most recently with third baseman David Villar in 2018, and 19 have earned Freshman All-America accolades, most recently Eric Snow in 2023. Four Bulls were selected in the 2022 MLB Draft. Former 2018 first-round selection, Shane McClanahan, became the program's first-ever MLB All-Star in 2022 and was the starting pitcher for the American League.

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