Sunday, April 27, 2008

Moffitt goes undrafted

It looks like the former USF cornerback tandem of Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams are the only Bulls to be taken in the NFL draft - which concluded on Sunday night.

Former USF linebacker Ben Moffitt - who was projected to be a late round pick - went undrafted. The news was not all bad for Moffitt, however, as he reportedly signed a free agent deal with the Houston Texans. This according to his agent Marc Lilibridge, who spoke with the St. Pete Times.

"They didn't draft any linebackers, and we feel like it's a good fit for him," Lilibridge said to The Times.

If more former USF players - such as wide receiver Amarri Jackson or defensive tackle Richard Clebert - sign deals, the Oracle will post updates.

- Joe Rienzi

Former Bull Williams picked up by Jags

Former USF cornerback Trae Williams joined former teammate Mike Jenkins in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars used the 159th pick in the draft (mid-fifth round) to pick up Williams.

Williams became the second former USF player drafted during this weekend's NFL draft. Former USF linebacker Ben Moffitt is still on the board, and with about a round and a half remaining, he is ESPN draft czar Mel Kiper Jr.'s seventh-best linebacker available.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

It's official: Jenkins is a Cowboy

When Mike Jenkins' name was called, he became the highest-drafted player in USF history.

The Dallas Cowboys had two first first round picks (No. 22/28). After taking Arkansas running back Felix Jones with their first pick, they traded up to the No. 25 spot to draft Jenkins.

Jenkins is the first USF player to be taken in the first round of the NFL draft, and joins former Bull Anthony Henry in the Cowboys' secondary.

After 20 picks, Jenkins is still waiting

Former USF cornerback Mike Jenkins - who was projected to go anywhere from No. 7 in today's NFL draft to No. 30 - has heard 20 names called, and none are his.

It was believed that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would take Jenkins at No. 20 if he was available. The Bucs, however, passed on Jenkins for another corner - Aquib Talib from Kansas.

The Oracle will have draft updates on Jenkins and the other USF players in the draft as they are picked.

- Joe Rienzi

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Softball goes 3-1; sweeps Notre Dame

The No. 25 Bulls went 3-1 this weekend against DePaul and Notre Dame.

The Bulls dropped the first game against DePaul 6-3 but bounced back and defeated the Blue Demons 5-1 in the doubleheader.

Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano picked up her 12th win of the season and fifth save of the season tying teammates junior Cristi Ecks and sophomore Kristen Gordon for the most saves as a freshman.

In two come from behind victories, the Bulls defeated Notre Dame 5-2 and 8-4.

Sophomore catcher Cat Olnick hit her first grand slam of her career in game two against the Irish.

Depsite the Irish rallying in the sixth inning, senior pitcher Courtney Mosch, shut out the Irish on the mound to end the game.

The Bulls remain No.1 in the Conference and will return to the USF softball field Wednesday to play Stetson University in a doubleheader.

Check out Monday's Oracle for more info about softball and sports around USF.

-Carrie Johnson

Fernandez staying at USF

Women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez has decided to stay with USF — a program that he has led to five consecutive postseason appearances.

"I thank UNLV for expressing interest in me and the job we have done at USF," Fernandez said to the St. Petersburg Times. "The process was first-class. I am fortunate to be coaching in the Big East and wish UNLV the best for their program."

The Oracle will follow-up on this story and have more in Monday's edition of the paper.

-Joe Rienzi

Friday, April 18, 2008

Fernandez awaiting decision from UNLV

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas has concluded interviews for their women's head coaching vacancy, and a decesion is expected to be made soon.

Fernandez was one of six candidates to have an on-campus interview with UNLV. He has led USF to the postseason five years running, including a berth in the NCAA tournament in 2006.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has a wrap up of all six candidates that had interviews.

The Oracle will have more news on coach Fernandez as it develops.

-Joe Rienzi

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Update on Cristi Ecks

On April 1, junior pitcher Cristi Ecks collapsed at practice. She was motionless and unresponsive for nearly three minutes before receiving CPR and a shock from an Automated External Defibrilator. She was awake and stable while being transported to University Community Hospital, and released three days later.

On April 10, Doug Ecks — Cristi's father — granted an interview to the Potomac News of Virginia, in the Ecks' hometown of Manassas VA. He told the paper that Cristi had surgery to implant a cardioverter defibrillator — which is a device that will monitor her heartbeat.

It is unlikely that Ecks will return to play softball this season, but doctors have not ruled out a return later on down the road, according to the interview.

Here's a link to the full story

We will have more information here and in The Oracle as it becomes available.

-Joe Rienzi

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Softball goes 4-0 this weekend

The Bulls wrap up another weekend of conference play and defeat Syracuse 5-4 and 1-0 and improve to 11-1 in the Big East.

The Bulls scored all five of their runs in the fourth inning. Senior outfielder Aya Nakajima recorded a 3RBI double to right field to give the Bulls a 4-0 lead. Sophomore shortstop Tara Toscano hit a RBI single to centerfield scoring Nakajima for a 5-0 lead.

Despite giving up 4 runs in the final three innings, the Bulls held off the Orange to get the first win of the day.

Sophomore first baseman Jojo Medina scored the winning home run for the Bulls in the 6th inning of game two.

Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano recorded her forth save of the season and improved to 11-0 in the circle.

The Bulls are on top of the Big East and will play Stetson University Wednesday in a doubleheader at the USF Softball Complex.

-Carrie Johnson

Defenses take the spot light in Green/White game

Saturday's Green/White spring game was a battle of defenses, with the White team grinding out a slim 6-3 win over the Green.

Senior Justin Teachey was 2/2 on the night for the White team. Junior Delbert Alvarado hit a 48-yard field goal on the Green team's opening drive, but missed a game-tying attempt from the same distance in the fourth.

There will be a full game summary in Monday's Oracle, but here are some quick notes:

Both of the Bulls' starting defensive ends had pretty good games. Junior George Selvie had three sacks for the Green team, and senior Jarriett Buie had four sacks for the White team. Both players, however, were playing against quarterbacks that weren't live for most of the game.

Junior linebacker Chris Robinson intercepted White team quarterback Grant Gregory on the White team's opening drive of the night.

The crowd was announced at 4,607 — which is an all-time high for a USF spring game.

Remember, check out Monday's Oracle for more.

-Joe Rienzi

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Louisville 10-USF 2. Final

Hobbs walked in the Bulls' second run of the game. Miserable night for USF, Louisville couldn't have asked for a more perfect scenario.
The series wraps up tomorrow at noon.

Louisville 10-USF 1. Bottom 9th

Not a good night for the Bulls, who were down 2-0 in the first inning and trailed throughout.
Leadoff man John Dao and cleanup hitter had an outstanding day for a Cardinal lineup that was consistent one through nine.
(As of today)
Villanova: 8th place in the Big East. 4-7 in the conference, 15-17 verall.
USF: 9th in the Big East. 5-9, 15-18

Softball sweeps Pittsburgh in doubleheader

Friday the Bulls played against the Pittsburgh Panthers and defeated them 2-1 and 1-0. Clutch performances from freshman players put the Bulls over the top with game winning hits, runs and pitches.

With the game tied at 1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, freshman pinch hitter Kati O'Brian hit a single to get on base, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Aya Nakajima. Outfielder Kelly McCarver stepped to the plate and hit the game-winning single to score O'Brian for the win.

Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano pitched a complete game holding the Panthers to two hits and struck out seven hitters to extend her streak on the mound at 10-0.

The Bulls shutout the Panthers in game 2 with the help of senior pitcher Courtney Mosch and Catalano.

Mosch and Catalano combined to strike out 7 batters and allowing four hits.

Mosch was credited with the win and Catalano was credited with her third save of the season.

Sophomore short stop Tara Toscano scored the only run of the game for the Bulls on a single from senior outfielder Kit Dunbar and a throwing error made by the Panthers.

The Bulls will return to action Sunday in the final doubleheader of the weekend against conference rival Syracuse at noon.

-Carrie Johnson

Friday, April 11, 2008

Louisville 10-USF 7. Final

The Cardinals walk away with a priceless comeback win that puts them back at .500 in the Big East. USF keeps blowing late leads in conference games and fall to 5-8 in the Big East.
Both teams played well in an intense game, no complaints from either coach about how USF or Louisville played.

9th Inning. Sanford gone wild. Louisville 10-USF 7

Shawn Sanford, USF's closer, unraveled in the top of the ninth inning.
Andrew Clark hit a Grand Slam with nobody out in the top of the ninth to give Louisville a 10-7 lead.
There are runners on first and second and one out still in the top of the ninth, but Sanford has been pulled out of the game.

Bulls update.Bottom 5th. Angelberger Grand Slam ties game up.

First Baseman Joey Angelberger blasted a pitch from Zach Pitts to turn a 4-0 Louisville lead into a 4-4 tie.
Daniel Thomas lasted 4 2/3 tonight as the Bulls' starter.
Villanova lost 2-1 to Notre Dame and Connecticut upset St John's at St John's with a 2-1 win, so no matter what happens tonight, the Bulls will be in 8th place in the Big East at least until tomorrow.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Ecks released from hospital

Junior pitcher Cristi Ecks was released from University Community Hospital on Friday — three days after collapsing at practice while performing routine drills.

Ecks was being held for testing and observation, but is doing well.

Check out Monday's Oracle for more information on Ecks.

Bulls lose series in Morgantown, but stay alive in the Big East.

A 5-2 win today prevented USF from falling to 4-8 in the Big East, instead standing at 5-7, 1 game behind eighth place Villanova.
In order to stay alive for the postseason, the USF bullpen, which blew a 13-4 eighth inning lead on Saturday, has to shake away its doubts and improve.
Good to see some consistency from the USF offense.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Bethune Cookman- USF live

Wildcats and Bulls are about to begin part two of their two game home-and-home series.
Couple of questions for this one:
Can USF be consistent and continue to play offensively like it did last night against UCF?
Who good is Bethune Cookman's pitching? On paper, its four top starters all have winning records and ERA's under 5.00

First pitch has been delayed until 7.45 P.M