TAMPA (April 26, 2024) – Hunter Mink (Palm Harbor) recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts on Friday night, but took a no decision as the University of South Florida Bulls (21-20, 7-9 AAC) dropped a 3-2 decision to the Florida Atlantic University Owls (21-18, 8-8 AAC) at USF Baseball Stadium to open a three-game series.
It was the second straight weekend that Mink logged a new career high in strikeouts and walked away without a win. Over his last two starts, the senior has posted a 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP) with 21 strikeouts and just two walks.
Florida Atlantic plated the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning to break up a 2-2 tie. With a runner on second base, the FAU baserunner took off on a pitch that ultimately resulted in a groundout to second base, and hustled all the way home on the play.
South Florida got on the board first Friday night in the bottom of the fifth with a clutch hit by Matt Rose (Clearwater) and some hard-nosed baserunning by Matthew Buffington (Andover, Kan.) Buffington was on first base for Rose's RBI-single and hustled into third on the play which force an errant throw and allowed him to score.
The Owls promptly tied the game with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning which stood as Mink's only blemish of the night.
Notable
- Mink has logged four quality starts over his last five outings with a 4.09 ERA (33.0 IP/15 ER), 39 strikeouts and only eight walks. He leads the pitching staff this season with five quality starts and 10 in his career.
- Jack Cebert (Tampa) made his first relief appearance of the season.
- The USF and FAU pitching staffs combined for 26 strikeouts while issuing just four walks and allowing nine hits on Friday.
- Rafael Betancourt (Deltona) went 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games.
Up Next
The Bulls and Owls meet on Saturday, April 27 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 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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