DeLAND (April 2, 2024) – The University of South Florida Bulls (16-13) saw a seven-run lead evaporate on Tuesday night in a 19-9 loss to the Stetson University Hatters (20-9) at Melching Field. South Florida led 7-0 after the top of the third inning before Stetson scored 13 unanswered runs, including an eight-run fourth frame.
The fourth inning saw the home team score eight runs on four hits, four walks and two hit-by-pitch against three different USF pitchers and included a 20-plus minute game delay for an umpire change behind home plate.
The Bulls built their 7-0 lead with four home runs over the first three innings. John Montes (Toa Alto, Puerto Rico) gave USF a 1-0 lead with a solo homer in the top of the first, Stewart Puckett (DeLeon Springs) belted a two-run shot in the second inning and Ben Rozenblum (Coral Springs) made it a 4-0 game with a solo home run in the top of the third. Puckett deposited his second home run in as many at-bats later in the third inning to give South Florida a 7-0 advantage.
Stetson plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning before taking the lead in the fourth frame.
In the top of the fifth, trailing 10-7, the Bulls looked for a quick answer but were denied when Marcus Brodil (Dunedin) was robbed of a run-scoring hit to end the inning. The Hatters tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a home run that hit off the glove of a leaping Jackson Mayo (St. Johns) in center field as the momentum had fully shifted to the home team.
Trailing 14-9 in the top of the eighth, the Bulls had a golden opportunity to get back in the game again late. Brodil, Matt Rose (Clearwater) and Matthew Buffington (Andover, Kan.) each singled to load the bases with no outs to bring the top of the order back to the plate, but USF came up empty.
Stetson proceeded to end the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with five more runs.
Notable
- The Bulls have hit 13 home runs in their last five games, including eight in their last two outings.
- Montes has launched five homers in his last eight games.
- Puckett recorded his first collegiate home run on March 29 and now has four longballs in his last four games.
- Puckett recorded a career-best five RBI on Tuesday and has 10 RBI over his last four games.
- Joaquin Monque (Weston) started his fourth straight game at shortstop with Eric Snow unavailable.
- Rafael Betancourt (knee) and Bobby Boser (hand) remain sidelined for South Florida. Betancourt hasn't played since March 19 and Boser since March 10.
Up Next
The Bulls return home for the first time in two weeks to begin a three-game series with Wichita State on Friday, April 5 at 6:30 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 59th 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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