TAMPA (April 21, 2024) – The Rice University Owls (15-25, 6-9 AAC) picked up a 10-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at USF Baseball Stadium to complete a three-game weekend sweep of the University of South Florida Bulls (21-19, 7-8 AAC).
South Florida entered the weekend in third place in the AAC standings, and despite being swept for the first time this season, the Bulls only dropped one spot and now sit tied at fourth with three other teams.
Rice took control of Sunday's series finale with five runs in the top of the third inning – four of which were unearned.
The Bulls cut their deficit to 6-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning. A Rice error opened the door for the home team before Marcus Brodil (Dunedin) and Matthew Buffington (Andover, Kan.) each tallied run-scoring hits and Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) drew a bases-loaded walk.
After slashing the Rice lead in half, USF ultimately stranded the bases loaded in the fourth frame and did so again in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Bulls scuffled with runners in scoring position all weekend.
The Owls went on to plate four more runs over the final two innings, which Rice was able to do all weekend to deter any late USF comeback bids. Rice put up 18 runs over the seventh through ninth innings in the three-game set.
Notable
- Rice has won six of its last seven games overall and posted back-to-back conference series wins.
- Joey Volini (Tampa) was able to stem the tide out of the bullpen in the middle innings for the Bulls. The southpaw posted career highs in strikeouts (9) and innings pitched (4.0) without allowing a run.
- Brodil went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and has reached base safely in a career-best 19 straight games.
- Rafael Betancourt (Deltona) went 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games.
Up Next
The Bulls will have the next four days off before continuing their homestand in a pivot conference series against Florida Atlantic. The first game of a three-game set against the Owls begins on Friday, April 26 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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