It was just announced that after two days of talking with Athletic Director Doug Woolard and Barbaba Spark-McGlinchy, baseball coach Eddie Cardieri has decided to resign immediately from the position he has held for 21 years.
Just got off the phone with Cardieri, and he's in a little shock — probably where it hasn't sunk in yet. There'll be more in Thursday's Oracle on his decision and what his plans are now.
Mike Camunas
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
A quickie
CLEARWATER — The game is on a 43-minute post game delay from the Cincinnati/Rutgers 13-7 marathon, so here’s a quick side note that’s non-baseball related. Checking out CNNSI.com’s mock NBA Draft following Toronto winning the lottery last night, and the experts have Solomon Jones being picked up 50th overall by the Orlando Magic.
So I ran this by men’s basketball SID Scott Kuykendall, who informs me that Jones has 14 scheduled workouts with NBA teams before the Pre Draft camp at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex next month.
Should be interesting in the coming weeks how Jones performs, but imagine if he could continue to play basketball in the state of Florida? My guess is he would have no problem with that.
So I ran this by men’s basketball SID Scott Kuykendall, who informs me that Jones has 14 scheduled workouts with NBA teams before the Pre Draft camp at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex next month.
Should be interesting in the coming weeks how Jones performs, but imagine if he could continue to play basketball in the state of Florida? My guess is he would have no problem with that.
Mike Camunas
Day 2: St. John's vs. USF
CLEARWATER — A day after a hard-fought 3-1 loss to Notre Dame, USF is less than an hour away from possibly playing its final game of the season. The Bulls will go up against St. John’s, which lost its first game of the Big East Tournament to West Virginia.
The winner of the second-round match up between the eighth-seeded Bulls and the fourth-seeded Red Storm will go on to play the loser of the West Virginia, Notre Dame game, while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.
If USF fails to advance to a third game, it would be the last game for several Bulls. Coach Eddie Cardieri’s Bulls have three regulars, who are seniors — left fielder Kris Howell, catcher Brian Baisley and designated hitter Matt McHargue. Baisley has the best chance of the three seniors to be drafted in the Majors.
There are also a few other possible exits that may take place once the Bulls’ season ends. There is a good chance that junior pitchers Casey Hudspeth and Chase Lirette may leave school early to enter the draft.
Hudspeth had already been drafted out of high school by the Devil Rays, offered extensive money to sign, but by some strange turn of events, missed the phone call from the front office. Don’t expect him to pass up money a second time.
And then there’s the possibility of Cardieri not returning. The 21-year coach has not received an extension on his contract, which runs out after this season.
But the Bulls will try to avoid thinking about all of the changes that may occur by beating St. John’s today. Sophomore Davis Bilardello will take the mound for USF. Bilardello is 1-7 with a 4.52 ERA. Bilardello suffered a loss on May 14 in a 4-3 loss to St. John’s.
The winner of the second-round match up between the eighth-seeded Bulls and the fourth-seeded Red Storm will go on to play the loser of the West Virginia, Notre Dame game, while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.
If USF fails to advance to a third game, it would be the last game for several Bulls. Coach Eddie Cardieri’s Bulls have three regulars, who are seniors — left fielder Kris Howell, catcher Brian Baisley and designated hitter Matt McHargue. Baisley has the best chance of the three seniors to be drafted in the Majors.
There are also a few other possible exits that may take place once the Bulls’ season ends. There is a good chance that junior pitchers Casey Hudspeth and Chase Lirette may leave school early to enter the draft.
Hudspeth had already been drafted out of high school by the Devil Rays, offered extensive money to sign, but by some strange turn of events, missed the phone call from the front office. Don’t expect him to pass up money a second time.
And then there’s the possibility of Cardieri not returning. The 21-year coach has not received an extension on his contract, which runs out after this season.
But the Bulls will try to avoid thinking about all of the changes that may occur by beating St. John’s today. Sophomore Davis Bilardello will take the mound for USF. Bilardello is 1-7 with a 4.52 ERA. Bilardello suffered a loss on May 14 in a 4-3 loss to St. John’s.
Kevin Smetana and Mike Camunas
Bulls fall to Notre Dame 3-1
CLEARWATER — The Bulls dropped their first game of the Big East Tournament: a 3-1 loss to Notre Dame, in which a pitching duel formed between Korpi and Hudspeth.
The two combined for 14 stikeouts and gave up only three runs. Defense highlighted the game as well, making coach Eddie Cardieri sorry to see this game end.
“When the score was 2-1,” Cardieri said, “all I could think about was it’s a shame someone has to win this game. I hoped it would be us.
“Tonight you saw two artists at work. Casey and Korpi, they were just artists out there, as well they could pitch out there.”
Josh LeRoy, who went 2-for-3 in the game with the only RBI for USF, said Korpi had a “changeup you couldn’t hit.”
The Bulls couldn’t finish on chances, espeically once Kyle Weiland came in to save the game.
“Weiland has 15 saves," Cardieri said, "so that says enough right there. When they give the game to him, they have a heck of a chance.
“Casey definitely gave a chance to win, and you can’t take anything away from Notre Dame. They’re a great club, and it’s obvious that their starting pitching is very good.”
The Bulls will now face St. John’s on Wednesday, with Davis Billardello ready to make the start. The sophomore has 53 stikeouts and a 4.52 ERA. Cardieri said he wasn’t sure of the starter for the Red Storm, but the lineup will be much the same, except if they face a right-hander, Matt McHargue and Ty Taborelli will make starts.
However, later it was announced that right-hander Rob Delaney would make the start with his 6-3 record, 75 strikeouts and 3.84 ERA.
In the regular season, St. John’s won two of three games over USF, including a 19-0 pounding on May 13.
The Bulls hung with the No. 19 team in the county Tuesday night, one looking to make the NCAA Tournament even without winning the automatic Big East big. Cardieri said he wouldn’t be surprised that this “stacked team” made it to Omaha next month.
Added Hudspeth, “It’s always frustrating, especially hanging in with a team like that and being a big underdog and having a chance to upset them.”
After the press conference, you could tell this game got to Cardieri. He was adamant throughout most of the game, especially on a double-play call at first. He was jawing through most of the arguable pitches, which may surprise some that the 21-year coach has not been tossed from a single game this season.
“It’s just one of those things where there’s no such thing as a moral victory,” Cardieri said. “To me, we played them great; we played them tough. They’re one of the best teams in the country, yet we still had chances to beat them.”
The two combined for 14 stikeouts and gave up only three runs. Defense highlighted the game as well, making coach Eddie Cardieri sorry to see this game end.
“When the score was 2-1,” Cardieri said, “all I could think about was it’s a shame someone has to win this game. I hoped it would be us.
“Tonight you saw two artists at work. Casey and Korpi, they were just artists out there, as well they could pitch out there.”
Josh LeRoy, who went 2-for-3 in the game with the only RBI for USF, said Korpi had a “changeup you couldn’t hit.”
The Bulls couldn’t finish on chances, espeically once Kyle Weiland came in to save the game.
“Weiland has 15 saves," Cardieri said, "so that says enough right there. When they give the game to him, they have a heck of a chance.
“Casey definitely gave a chance to win, and you can’t take anything away from Notre Dame. They’re a great club, and it’s obvious that their starting pitching is very good.”
The Bulls will now face St. John’s on Wednesday, with Davis Billardello ready to make the start. The sophomore has 53 stikeouts and a 4.52 ERA. Cardieri said he wasn’t sure of the starter for the Red Storm, but the lineup will be much the same, except if they face a right-hander, Matt McHargue and Ty Taborelli will make starts.
However, later it was announced that right-hander Rob Delaney would make the start with his 6-3 record, 75 strikeouts and 3.84 ERA.
In the regular season, St. John’s won two of three games over USF, including a 19-0 pounding on May 13.
The Bulls hung with the No. 19 team in the county Tuesday night, one looking to make the NCAA Tournament even without winning the automatic Big East big. Cardieri said he wouldn’t be surprised that this “stacked team” made it to Omaha next month.
Added Hudspeth, “It’s always frustrating, especially hanging in with a team like that and being a big underdog and having a chance to upset them.”
After the press conference, you could tell this game got to Cardieri. He was adamant throughout most of the game, especially on a double-play call at first. He was jawing through most of the arguable pitches, which may surprise some that the 21-year coach has not been tossed from a single game this season.
“It’s just one of those things where there’s no such thing as a moral victory,” Cardieri said. “To me, we played them great; we played them tough. They’re one of the best teams in the country, yet we still had chances to beat them.”
Kevin Smetana and Mike Camunas
Blowing a chance
CLEARWATER — The biggest chance Bulls had to tie or take the lead just blew by them in the top of the eighth. Dexter Butler was up with two men on. He struck out, however, on a 3-2 count to end the inning. The Bulls were having some success against relief pitcher Kyle Weiland, as he gave up three hits, but then pitched himself out of that jam.
Nick Manganaro replaced Hudspeth in the bottom of the eighth. The junior’s line: three strikeouts, six hits, two runs, no walks.
More to come after the game.
Nick Manganaro replaced Hudspeth in the bottom of the eighth. The junior’s line: three strikeouts, six hits, two runs, no walks.
More to come after the game.
Kevin Smetana and Mike Camunas
Top of the seventh
CLEARWATER — Irish are up 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth. A leadoff triple by Jeremy Barnes led to a great play at the plate, as Joey Angelberger came in on a fly ball by Ross Brezovsky, in which Angelberger threw a laser to Brian Baisley to tag Barnes for the third out.
Now, Korpi is out after six innings. His line: 11 strikeouts, four hits, one run, three walks. The sophomore had 11 strikeouts three times this season.
The Bulls leave two men stranded to end the inning.
More later.
Now, Korpi is out after six innings. His line: 11 strikeouts, four hits, one run, three walks. The sophomore had 11 strikeouts three times this season.
The Bulls leave two men stranded to end the inning.
More later.
Mike Camunas
Bottom of the fourth...
CLEARWATER — About a half an hour after its scheduled start, sophomore Jim Cassidy is stepping up to the plate to begin USF’s first-ever Big East Tournament game. For Cassidy, it’s just his 10th start of the season.
The top of the first inning didn’t go so well for the Bulls, as Notre Dame Pitcher Wade Korpi, who has a 2.20 ERA, quickly struck out the first two USF batters and the Bulls’ third-spot hitter grounded out.
Fighting Irish first baseman Craig Cooper is leading off the bottom of the first against USF’s Casey Huspeth. Cooper, who is batting a team-high .432, was recently named the Big East Player of the Year.
So far there’s more activity going on behind the centerfield wall, where a group of kids are throwing a ball around. The game was just delayed for a moment after the kids’ ball ended up on the field. There’s something you don’t usually see at a USF game.
With Notre Dame being so deep on the mound, it doesn’t even have one its top three starting pitchers in the game. In fact, this is just the second time in the Fighting Irish’s 11 years in the Big East Tournament they haven’t started one of their top three pitchers. But you wouldn’t know Korpi isn’t one of Notre Dame’s top starters — he struck out four of his first five opponents tonight. And after sophomore Dexter Butler got the first hit of the game, Korpi answered by striking out sophomore Brandin Daniel to earn his third strikeout of the inning.
After two innings it’s a scoreless game, and each team has a hit. Notre Dame catcher Sean Gaston just hit a line drive over the glove of shortstop Addison Maruszak, but Hudspeth earned his first strikeout one batter later to end the inning.
Korpi is starting to look like Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir and his 11-strikeout performance in Sunday's Rays victory over the Florida Marlins. After five innings pitched, the left-hander already has 10 strikeouts.
Notre Dame is on the scoreboard first, after a successful hit-and-run. Cooper scored from first with the help of a single by second baseman Jeremy Barnes. But after Cooper crossed the plate, Barnes was thrown out trying to make it to second base. Irish 1-0.
The Bulls tied it up though on an RBI double to centerfield by Josh LeRoy, scoring Kris Howell from first.
Just a side note for now: One of USF President Judy Genshaft’s sons caught a foul ball, but not directly. It bounced into the “upper deck” here at BHNF, landed in another fan’s hands who dropped it, only to be picked up by her oldest son and her husband. He’s a little small for his size, but Genshaft Jr. may have a future in a Bulls uniform.
Just kidding.
The top of the first inning didn’t go so well for the Bulls, as Notre Dame Pitcher Wade Korpi, who has a 2.20 ERA, quickly struck out the first two USF batters and the Bulls’ third-spot hitter grounded out.
Fighting Irish first baseman Craig Cooper is leading off the bottom of the first against USF’s Casey Huspeth. Cooper, who is batting a team-high .432, was recently named the Big East Player of the Year.
So far there’s more activity going on behind the centerfield wall, where a group of kids are throwing a ball around. The game was just delayed for a moment after the kids’ ball ended up on the field. There’s something you don’t usually see at a USF game.
With Notre Dame being so deep on the mound, it doesn’t even have one its top three starting pitchers in the game. In fact, this is just the second time in the Fighting Irish’s 11 years in the Big East Tournament they haven’t started one of their top three pitchers. But you wouldn’t know Korpi isn’t one of Notre Dame’s top starters — he struck out four of his first five opponents tonight. And after sophomore Dexter Butler got the first hit of the game, Korpi answered by striking out sophomore Brandin Daniel to earn his third strikeout of the inning.
After two innings it’s a scoreless game, and each team has a hit. Notre Dame catcher Sean Gaston just hit a line drive over the glove of shortstop Addison Maruszak, but Hudspeth earned his first strikeout one batter later to end the inning.
Korpi is starting to look like Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir and his 11-strikeout performance in Sunday's Rays victory over the Florida Marlins. After five innings pitched, the left-hander already has 10 strikeouts.
Notre Dame is on the scoreboard first, after a successful hit-and-run. Cooper scored from first with the help of a single by second baseman Jeremy Barnes. But after Cooper crossed the plate, Barnes was thrown out trying to make it to second base. Irish 1-0.
The Bulls tied it up though on an RBI double to centerfield by Josh LeRoy, scoring Kris Howell from first.
Just a side note for now: One of USF President Judy Genshaft’s sons caught a foul ball, but not directly. It bounced into the “upper deck” here at BHNF, landed in another fan’s hands who dropped it, only to be picked up by her oldest son and her husband. He’s a little small for his size, but Genshaft Jr. may have a future in a Bulls uniform.
Just kidding.
Kevin Smetana and Mike Camunas
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Live blogging from Big East Tournament
CLEARWATER — I arrived here at Bright House Networks Field just in time to see the tail end of the WVU and St. John’s game and warm-ups for the Bulls. The Red Storm is up 5-3 over the Mountaineers following a grand slam, while Louisville pulled a close 9-8 game over Rutgers and Connecticut took care of Cincinnati 6-2.
First and foremost, this stadium is amazing. Forget any other park in Tampa minor league or the other piece of crap in downtown St. Pete. This park is, hands down, built to please the eye and the average fan. Beautifully trimmed and laid out, the seats are the individual, non-bench type that allow the fan to spread out. In the outfield, kids can run and throw balls to each other while waiting to catch dingers that come their way. This place is just simply amazing.
Honestly, now that I think about it, I don’t see how the Big East could have the tournament anywhere else but in Clearwater. Sure, it’s a little overcast today, but on any other day the weather, the nearby beaches and the venue can’t be beat.
All right, moving on. For Saturday’s championship game, Tampa’s, and I guess USF’s as well, very own Hall of Famer Wade Boggs is color analyst for ESPNU. Of course, Wade’s son, Brett, is a freshman for the Bulls, while Wade himself attended every home game at the Red. Makes you wonder if USF makes the championship, can Wade take off his green-and-gold glasses for a few hours? After all, he is a professional, with his hair transplant infomercials.
As the Bulls were on the practice field, I ran into coach Eddie Cardieri — in high spirits, no less — watching a little of the Mountaineers/Red Storm game. Nice little chat we had. He said Casey Hudspeth, making the start, is ready and loose, as the junior is going through warm-ups, with his 7-6, 4.52 ERA and league-leading 103 strikeouts.
Cardieri also called tonight’s matchup “just another game” against a “very well-balanced team.” Anyways, Cardieri also said he thought Notre Dame’s starter, left-hander Wade Korpi, with his 2.20 ERA and 83 strikeouts, is the best pitcher on the staff. Even better than wide reciever/starter Jeff Samardzija, with his 7-2 record, 4.30 ERA and 52 strikeouts. Cardieri said he thinks Korpi has the best location of not just a left-hander, but on the Fighting Irish as well.
Well, that’s it for pregame stuff. There will be some live blogs from myself and Asst. Sports Editor Kevin Smetana throughout the game. Look for coverage in Thurday’s Oracle, including the game story from the Bulls’ second game Wednesday.
One last thought before I go: Can anyone explain to me why the USF baseball game from Bright House Networks Field is not being broadcasted on Catch 47, the official sports channel from Bright House and of USF sports? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
First and foremost, this stadium is amazing. Forget any other park in Tampa minor league or the other piece of crap in downtown St. Pete. This park is, hands down, built to please the eye and the average fan. Beautifully trimmed and laid out, the seats are the individual, non-bench type that allow the fan to spread out. In the outfield, kids can run and throw balls to each other while waiting to catch dingers that come their way. This place is just simply amazing.
Honestly, now that I think about it, I don’t see how the Big East could have the tournament anywhere else but in Clearwater. Sure, it’s a little overcast today, but on any other day the weather, the nearby beaches and the venue can’t be beat.
All right, moving on. For Saturday’s championship game, Tampa’s, and I guess USF’s as well, very own Hall of Famer Wade Boggs is color analyst for ESPNU. Of course, Wade’s son, Brett, is a freshman for the Bulls, while Wade himself attended every home game at the Red. Makes you wonder if USF makes the championship, can Wade take off his green-and-gold glasses for a few hours? After all, he is a professional, with his hair transplant infomercials.
As the Bulls were on the practice field, I ran into coach Eddie Cardieri — in high spirits, no less — watching a little of the Mountaineers/Red Storm game. Nice little chat we had. He said Casey Hudspeth, making the start, is ready and loose, as the junior is going through warm-ups, with his 7-6, 4.52 ERA and league-leading 103 strikeouts.
Cardieri also called tonight’s matchup “just another game” against a “very well-balanced team.” Anyways, Cardieri also said he thought Notre Dame’s starter, left-hander Wade Korpi, with his 2.20 ERA and 83 strikeouts, is the best pitcher on the staff. Even better than wide reciever/starter Jeff Samardzija, with his 7-2 record, 4.30 ERA and 52 strikeouts. Cardieri said he thinks Korpi has the best location of not just a left-hander, but on the Fighting Irish as well.
Well, that’s it for pregame stuff. There will be some live blogs from myself and Asst. Sports Editor Kevin Smetana throughout the game. Look for coverage in Thurday’s Oracle, including the game story from the Bulls’ second game Wednesday.
One last thought before I go: Can anyone explain to me why the USF baseball game from Bright House Networks Field is not being broadcasted on Catch 47, the official sports channel from Bright House and of USF sports? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Mike Camunas
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Baseball headed to Clearwater
More from another diamond, the baseball team won the game it needed to secure the eighth and final spot in the Big East Tournament. I spoke the the two heroes of the 9-4 win over WVU, Josh LeRoy and Jim Cassidy, who combined for two home runs, five hits and five RBI.
As the No. 8 seed, the Bulls face No. 1-seeded Notre Dame on Tuesday at 8 p.m at Bright House Networks Field.
Turns out, if the Bulls had lost, they would have been in anyways as Georgetown, without its senior class, pulled a win over Pittsburgh. Cassidy and LeRoy both spoke of the good feeling the win was and how it felt good to get one for coach Eddie Cardieri, which could very be his last for USF.
Cassidy and LeRoy both said Cardieri, however, never once mentioned any articles or talks of not renewing his contract as motivation for wins this weekend. Cardieri, as well as his two players, said they went against WVU to save their chances for the postseason, not to save the 21-year coach's career.
LeRoy and Cassidy, whose home runs were both the first of their careers, mentioned they did read the articles, but also said the atmosphere on the team the past three to four days has been very quiet and focused.
I spoke with Cardieri when some of the accusations were made public, and while I can't repeat many of the things we spoke about, he was in a very down mood. Now I'm not going to be a Cardieri apologist, defending his every action, but after speaking with him just an hour after the game, he spirits did seem a little higher. It sounds as though some of his optimism might be returning, something he claims he "needs in his life."
I asked Cardieri if he thought the tournament berth had secured his job for next season. While he claimed he didn't know “because it's still up to Doug (Woolard),” he also said Wednesday he doesn't know what it would take to keep his job. Not just one win in the tournament, or a regional berth — he just doesn't know for certain.
“I would like another chance,” Cardieri said. “If you don't want me, fine and dandy. Right now, though, I'm going to do my job, and the rest will be in God's hands.”
As the No. 8 seed, the Bulls face No. 1-seeded Notre Dame on Tuesday at 8 p.m at Bright House Networks Field.
Turns out, if the Bulls had lost, they would have been in anyways as Georgetown, without its senior class, pulled a win over Pittsburgh. Cassidy and LeRoy both spoke of the good feeling the win was and how it felt good to get one for coach Eddie Cardieri, which could very be his last for USF.
Cassidy and LeRoy both said Cardieri, however, never once mentioned any articles or talks of not renewing his contract as motivation for wins this weekend. Cardieri, as well as his two players, said they went against WVU to save their chances for the postseason, not to save the 21-year coach's career.
LeRoy and Cassidy, whose home runs were both the first of their careers, mentioned they did read the articles, but also said the atmosphere on the team the past three to four days has been very quiet and focused.
I spoke with Cardieri when some of the accusations were made public, and while I can't repeat many of the things we spoke about, he was in a very down mood. Now I'm not going to be a Cardieri apologist, defending his every action, but after speaking with him just an hour after the game, he spirits did seem a little higher. It sounds as though some of his optimism might be returning, something he claims he "needs in his life."
I asked Cardieri if he thought the tournament berth had secured his job for next season. While he claimed he didn't know “because it's still up to Doug (Woolard),” he also said Wednesday he doesn't know what it would take to keep his job. Not just one win in the tournament, or a regional berth — he just doesn't know for certain.
“I would like another chance,” Cardieri said. “If you don't want me, fine and dandy. Right now, though, I'm going to do my job, and the rest will be in God's hands.”
Mike Camunas
Notes from Gainesville
GAINESVILLE — The USF softball team is now just one win away from advancing to its first-ever super regional round of the NCAA Tournament.
The No. 25 Bulls opened up the Gainesville Regional of this year’s tournament with a 2-1 upset of No. 22 North Carolina on Friday. The underdog theme continued on Day One when unranked Florida Atlantic was able to knock off the favored University of Florida on its home field.
Both of Friday’s winning teams hit the field Saturday to battle for the opportunity to advance in the double-elimination tournament.
Junior Bree Spence got the start for the Bulls and allowed three hits in 3 1/3 innings before being relieved by freshman Cristi Ecks. Ecks finished the game and earned the win for the Bulls after pitching 3 2/3 hitless innings.
FAU pitcher Jen Musillo made her first back-to-back start of the season, as she pitched every inning for the Owls against USF after defeating Florida. The junior played valiantly against the Bulls, scattering only three hits in six innings but also allowed the only run of the game when senior Christie Chapman reached for an outside curve ball and sent it over the fence to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
“I thought both Musillo and our pitching staff threw a great game today,” USF coach Ken Eriksen said. “We got kind of fortunate that Christie (Chapman) stayed on a drop outside and sent it the whole way.”
Late in the game it looked like Chapman might have a multi-home run outing, but the shortstop’s deep fly ball dropped too early and was caught by the left fielder at the warning track. In the postgame press conference Chapman insisted it would have been another homer in a different setting.
“I thought it had a chance,” Chapman said. “If we were at home it would have been out. These 200-feet fences are killing me.”
Two-straight one-run games for the Bulls, who are in control of their regional, means they have to lose twice Sunday to not advance to the Super Regional. And if they win at least three after that, they'll be headed to the college World Series.
Essentially, the Bulls could be facing FAU again, which looks to be facing Florida in the late game that started at 5 p.m. If USF happens to make the Super Regionals, it could play the No. 1 team in the land, UCLA.
I'll be there for the game, which has the first pitch set for about noon. Look for more blogs Sunday and game stories in the Oracle on Monday
The No. 25 Bulls opened up the Gainesville Regional of this year’s tournament with a 2-1 upset of No. 22 North Carolina on Friday. The underdog theme continued on Day One when unranked Florida Atlantic was able to knock off the favored University of Florida on its home field.
Both of Friday’s winning teams hit the field Saturday to battle for the opportunity to advance in the double-elimination tournament.
Junior Bree Spence got the start for the Bulls and allowed three hits in 3 1/3 innings before being relieved by freshman Cristi Ecks. Ecks finished the game and earned the win for the Bulls after pitching 3 2/3 hitless innings.
FAU pitcher Jen Musillo made her first back-to-back start of the season, as she pitched every inning for the Owls against USF after defeating Florida. The junior played valiantly against the Bulls, scattering only three hits in six innings but also allowed the only run of the game when senior Christie Chapman reached for an outside curve ball and sent it over the fence to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
“I thought both Musillo and our pitching staff threw a great game today,” USF coach Ken Eriksen said. “We got kind of fortunate that Christie (Chapman) stayed on a drop outside and sent it the whole way.”
Late in the game it looked like Chapman might have a multi-home run outing, but the shortstop’s deep fly ball dropped too early and was caught by the left fielder at the warning track. In the postgame press conference Chapman insisted it would have been another homer in a different setting.
“I thought it had a chance,” Chapman said. “If we were at home it would have been out. These 200-feet fences are killing me.”
Two-straight one-run games for the Bulls, who are in control of their regional, means they have to lose twice Sunday to not advance to the Super Regional. And if they win at least three after that, they'll be headed to the college World Series.
Essentially, the Bulls could be facing FAU again, which looks to be facing Florida in the late game that started at 5 p.m. If USF happens to make the Super Regionals, it could play the No. 1 team in the land, UCLA.
I'll be there for the game, which has the first pitch set for about noon. Look for more blogs Sunday and game stories in the Oracle on Monday
Eric Moeller
Facing the right team?
Even though USF is playing West Virginia this weekend, it seems more like it is battling against Pittsburgh. With USF's 5-3 loss today and Pittsburgh eking out a 3-2 win in the 10th over Georgetown, the Bulls still need just one win to get into the Big East Tournament. Georgetown is out due to its two straight losses to the Panthers. So if Pittsburgh wins and USF loses, the Panthers head to Clearwater and coach Eddie Cardieri waits for word on his future from Doug Woolard's office.
It is interesting how the Hoyas actually can now be helpful to the Bulls if USF can't help itself to a win Saturday at noon. Just to show you the history, Georgetown was pummeled 14-0 by Pittsburgh on Thursday, as the Hoyas have just 23 wins (same as the Bulls) this season. On top of all that, Georgetown is now riding a six-game losing streak.
It is interesting how the Hoyas actually can now be helpful to the Bulls if USF can't help itself to a win Saturday at noon. Just to show you the history, Georgetown was pummeled 14-0 by Pittsburgh on Thursday, as the Hoyas have just 23 wins (same as the Bulls) this season. On top of all that, Georgetown is now riding a six-game losing streak.
Mike Camunas
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
A familiar face in town
With baseball and softball on home stretches, we’ll be a little light on the news side, but we’ll try our best to get some blogging in, especially once football starts warming up.
But tonight I have one live blog from a different location: Tropicana Field.
And I know what you are thinking: What the heck are you doing there when the USF baseball team’s last home game is tonight?
Well, honestly, I can’t do much with tonight’s game, from when I last checked, the Bulls were already losing in the fourth inning. I’m at the Rays game who are hosting the World Series Champs White Sox. And whenever the Sox come to town, they bring in a familiar face to those who have been following USF baseball about as long as Eddie Cardieri has been coach.
Ross Gload, Sox utility player, did earn himself a World Series ring and was kind enough to take time away from batting practice to talk to me.
He’s actually a pretty nice guy, who, unfortunately, does not see much playing time behind Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye, since he usually plays first base and right field. I was able to ask Gload a burning question concerning the baseball team: What is Cardieri’s future?
Gload took advantage of his chance to sound off on that issue, of course, defending Cardieri. You wouldn’t expect less from a guy who says Cardieri “really went out of the way to help me play college ball, when no one else wanted me to play for them.” Gload also said he would be “disappointed” and “sad” if they let Cardieri go, not too mention it would severe all Gload’s ties to the team.
“I would be completely disappointed if he were let go,” Gload said. “He’s probably helped me out more than anyone else I’ve ever known in baseball. I still talk to him all the time.”
When I asked Gload if he thought it was fair that Cardieri be let go after just one dismal season in the Big East, being the first season in that conference, he pointed out the 1995 season, the Bulls’ last season in the Metro Conference, in which the team barely made the conference tournament. The Bulls turned around and ended up winning the entire tournament, giving them an automatic bid to the NCAA regionals only to loss to UNC and Miami in Coral Gables.
Gload knows how final series of a season can overshadow the disappointment throughout the season, and how team’s start finding wins once they reach the postseason.
“You know towards the end,” Gload said, “teams find a way to get hot and put some wins on the board. This season is the same situation we were in my freshman year. We needed to win that Metro tournament, we did and everything else was forgotten after that. No firings; not worried about extensions and we’re here over 10 years later talking about it again.”
There will be a larger article on Gload in Thursday’s Oracle, and for those interested the Rays are up 2-1 over the Sox in the top of the third.
But tonight I have one live blog from a different location: Tropicana Field.
And I know what you are thinking: What the heck are you doing there when the USF baseball team’s last home game is tonight?
Well, honestly, I can’t do much with tonight’s game, from when I last checked, the Bulls were already losing in the fourth inning. I’m at the Rays game who are hosting the World Series Champs White Sox. And whenever the Sox come to town, they bring in a familiar face to those who have been following USF baseball about as long as Eddie Cardieri has been coach.
Ross Gload, Sox utility player, did earn himself a World Series ring and was kind enough to take time away from batting practice to talk to me.
He’s actually a pretty nice guy, who, unfortunately, does not see much playing time behind Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye, since he usually plays first base and right field. I was able to ask Gload a burning question concerning the baseball team: What is Cardieri’s future?
Gload took advantage of his chance to sound off on that issue, of course, defending Cardieri. You wouldn’t expect less from a guy who says Cardieri “really went out of the way to help me play college ball, when no one else wanted me to play for them.” Gload also said he would be “disappointed” and “sad” if they let Cardieri go, not too mention it would severe all Gload’s ties to the team.
“I would be completely disappointed if he were let go,” Gload said. “He’s probably helped me out more than anyone else I’ve ever known in baseball. I still talk to him all the time.”
When I asked Gload if he thought it was fair that Cardieri be let go after just one dismal season in the Big East, being the first season in that conference, he pointed out the 1995 season, the Bulls’ last season in the Metro Conference, in which the team barely made the conference tournament. The Bulls turned around and ended up winning the entire tournament, giving them an automatic bid to the NCAA regionals only to loss to UNC and Miami in Coral Gables.
Gload knows how final series of a season can overshadow the disappointment throughout the season, and how team’s start finding wins once they reach the postseason.
“You know towards the end,” Gload said, “teams find a way to get hot and put some wins on the board. This season is the same situation we were in my freshman year. We needed to win that Metro tournament, we did and everything else was forgotten after that. No firings; not worried about extensions and we’re here over 10 years later talking about it again.”
There will be a larger article on Gload in Thursday’s Oracle, and for those interested the Rays are up 2-1 over the Sox in the top of the third.
Mike Camunas
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Back in action
Sorry for not posting anything for a while. At the Oracle, we've been busy with countless things and with summer stuff fast approaching -- the Big East Baseball Tournament, softball and its incredible run -- we'll have more posts coming up in the next few days.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
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