After scoring two runs in the fifth, the Bulls added another in the sixth to give them a 7-3 cushion.
Senior third baseman reached base on a single, and after a Junior Carlin double advanced him to third, he was able to score on a wild pitch.
Fontanez got out of a jam in the fifth, getting the Mountaineers to leave two on base.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
WVU not going away easily
USF pitcher Randy Fontanez — who had not allowed a hit in the game's first three innings — seemed to fall apart in the fourth. He allowed three runs on three hits and an error, and the Mountaineers cut the Bulls lead to one.
USF 4, WVU 3
USF 4, WVU 3
Three innings in, Bulls still lead
The Bulls have maintained their early lead, adding a run in the top of the third to go up 4-0.
Freshman Stephen Hunt got to first on a single, then made it all the way to third on a past ball that WVU catcher Tobias Streich lost behind him. Then, Hunt scored on a wild pitch.
Freshman Randy Fontanez is pitching a stellar game, with four strikeouts in the first three innings including the side in the second.
Freshman Stephen Hunt got to first on a single, then made it all the way to third on a past ball that WVU catcher Tobias Streich lost behind him. Then, Hunt scored on a wild pitch.
Freshman Randy Fontanez is pitching a stellar game, with four strikeouts in the first three innings including the side in the second.
Bulls jump out to quick start
The game is only 1/2 an inning old, but USF managed to do some damage early. The Bulls first two batters — Mike Consolmagno and Junior Carlin — reached base on walks, and senior Joey Angelberger needed only one pitch to see one he liked.
He drove the ball over the left field wall for a three-run home run. The next three batters popped out to end the inning.
USF - 3, WVU - 0
He drove the ball over the left field wall for a three-run home run. The next three batters popped out to end the inning.
USF - 3, WVU - 0
Live blog: USF vs. West Virginia
I'm here in Clearwater again, where USF is playing in a must-win game against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Both teams have one loss in the Big East tournament, and a second would mean an end to the tournament — and likely the season — for both teams.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with Randy Fontanez taking the hill for the Bulls and Josh Whitlock going for WVU.
-Joe Rienzi
First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with Randy Fontanez taking the hill for the Bulls and Josh Whitlock going for WVU.
-Joe Rienzi
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Up next: Cincinnati
The Bulls completed their 9-3 victory over Notre Dame — the fourth win over the Irish in the last six days.
The Bulls will now look ahead to Cincinnati in a game that (hopefully) begins at 8 pm. The Bulls will look to carry the momentum of a four-game winning streak into the third round of the Big East tournament.
The Bulls will now look ahead to Cincinnati in a game that (hopefully) begins at 8 pm. The Bulls will look to carry the momentum of a four-game winning streak into the third round of the Big East tournament.
End in sight: Bulls up 9-3 after 8
The Bulls are creeping up on their sixth straight win — dating back to last season — against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Bulls allowed a run in the bottom of the 7th but retired the Irish in order in the bottom of the 8th.
If USF holds on, it will play the Cincinnati Bearcats — who beat the Bulls two of three times during the regular season — at 8:00 p.m. tonight (although, today's game was delayed until after 10 p.m., so that start time could be little more than wishful thinking).
USF-9, ND-3...Top 9
The Bulls allowed a run in the bottom of the 7th but retired the Irish in order in the bottom of the 8th.
If USF holds on, it will play the Cincinnati Bearcats — who beat the Bulls two of three times during the regular season — at 8:00 p.m. tonight (although, today's game was delayed until after 10 p.m., so that start time could be little more than wishful thinking).
USF-9, ND-3...Top 9
Still on top: Bulls up after five
The game has passed what should be the halfway mark (although, these two teams did go 16 innings on Friday), and USF is still on top.
Starting pitcher Derrick Stultz is out of the game, throwing 71 pitches and striking out four while leading the Bulls to an 8-2 lead.
There's still a lot of baseball to be played, but Addison Maruszak has gotten the Bulls off to a good start in the 6th, hitting a standup double. Then, Stephen Hunt reached first on a ball hit straight back to the Fighting Irish's freshman pitcher Evan Danieli — who was unable to handle it.
The Bulls picked up another run in the top of the sixth, and now lead 9-2.
Starting pitcher Derrick Stultz is out of the game, throwing 71 pitches and striking out four while leading the Bulls to an 8-2 lead.
There's still a lot of baseball to be played, but Addison Maruszak has gotten the Bulls off to a good start in the 6th, hitting a standup double. Then, Stephen Hunt reached first on a ball hit straight back to the Fighting Irish's freshman pitcher Evan Danieli — who was unable to handle it.
The Bulls picked up another run in the top of the sixth, and now lead 9-2.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Bulls continue to pull away
A four-run lead just didn't seem comfortable enough for Lelo Prado and the South Florida baseball team.
USF had a small, two-out rally starting with a Joey Angelberger single. The ball was thrown into the dugout, so he advanced to second on the error. Junior Addison Maruszak drove him home with an RBI single, then advanced to third on a stolen base/throwing error.
Despite the runner on third, USF was only able to add one more run.
The Bulls are up 7-2 in the middle of the 4th.
USF had a small, two-out rally starting with a Joey Angelberger single. The ball was thrown into the dugout, so he advanced to second on the error. Junior Addison Maruszak drove him home with an RBI single, then advanced to third on a stolen base/throwing error.
Despite the runner on third, USF was only able to add one more run.
The Bulls are up 7-2 in the middle of the 4th.
Live blog: Big East baseball!
A friendly hello to all you night owls. I'm here at the Big East tournament started today at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, and the Bulls are playing Notre Dame for the fourth time in six days.
The Bulls fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, but mounted a furious second inning. USF batted around the order and took a 6-2 lead.
Freshman pitcher Derrick Stultz has struck out two so far, and the Bulls look to extend their winning streak against the Fighting Irish. As I'm typing, Stultz picked up his third strkeout. Stay tuned for updates throughout the night and into the early morning.
-Joe Rienzi
The Bulls fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, but mounted a furious second inning. USF batted around the order and took a 6-2 lead.
Freshman pitcher Derrick Stultz has struck out two so far, and the Bulls look to extend their winning streak against the Fighting Irish. As I'm typing, Stultz picked up his third strkeout. Stay tuned for updates throughout the night and into the early morning.
-Joe Rienzi
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Baseball in, softball out
One team saw a dream fulfilled on Saturday, while another saw its dream end.
The South Florida baseball team needed to win at least one of three games against Notre Dame — the team that was No. 2 in the Big East standings on Thursday.
The Bulls not only won once, but earned their first sweep of a conference foe sinc joining the Big East in 2005.
Each of the three games against the Fighting Irish were decided by just one run, and Saturday's game was a thriller.
USF trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the 4th, but managed to come back and take the game 9-8. Senior Joey Angelberger — playing his last game at Red McEwen Field — started things off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th. The Bulls eventually scored six runs in that inning, two in the fifth, and one in the eighth.
With the sweep, USF locked up the sixth seed in this week's Big East tournament. They play Tuesday in Clearwater against No. 3 seeded Notre Dame. Yes, the sweep dropped Notre Dame from second to third in the Big East, and the teams will meet for the fourth time in six days Tuesday.
While the baseball team was fighting its way into the postseason, the softball team was getting bounced from it. The Bulls lost their opening round game to UCF on Friday, and suffered a 9-2 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
The Bulls season ends in what would have to be disappointment after winning the first regular-season Big East title in school history.
Check Monday's Oracle for more information about these two teams.
-Joe Rienzi
The South Florida baseball team needed to win at least one of three games against Notre Dame — the team that was No. 2 in the Big East standings on Thursday.
The Bulls not only won once, but earned their first sweep of a conference foe sinc joining the Big East in 2005.
Each of the three games against the Fighting Irish were decided by just one run, and Saturday's game was a thriller.
USF trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the 4th, but managed to come back and take the game 9-8. Senior Joey Angelberger — playing his last game at Red McEwen Field — started things off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th. The Bulls eventually scored six runs in that inning, two in the fifth, and one in the eighth.
With the sweep, USF locked up the sixth seed in this week's Big East tournament. They play Tuesday in Clearwater against No. 3 seeded Notre Dame. Yes, the sweep dropped Notre Dame from second to third in the Big East, and the teams will meet for the fourth time in six days Tuesday.
While the baseball team was fighting its way into the postseason, the softball team was getting bounced from it. The Bulls lost their opening round game to UCF on Friday, and suffered a 9-2 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
The Bulls season ends in what would have to be disappointment after winning the first regular-season Big East title in school history.
Check Monday's Oracle for more information about these two teams.
-Joe Rienzi
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Living on the edge
The USF baseball team lost the first game of a day-night doubleheader 8-1 and then blew a 3- lead in the ninth inning, losing the second game by the score of 4-3 in 10 innings.
Those two losses, coupled with Villanova and Rutgers splitting their doubleheader today, puts USF in a three-way tie for the last two spots in the Big East Tournament with the Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights with all three teams boasting a 10-13 conference record.
USF holds the tiebreaker over Rutgers at the moment, but Villanova trumps both teams due to its better overall record.
It's going to be a tense sunday in the Tristate area tomorrow afternoon. Rutgers needs to win to be in the top eight heading into next weekend, Villanova could practically punch a ticket winning tomorrow and USF is falling fast, so a win tomorrow for them would be a season saving one.
- Martin Bater
Those two losses, coupled with Villanova and Rutgers splitting their doubleheader today, puts USF in a three-way tie for the last two spots in the Big East Tournament with the Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights with all three teams boasting a 10-13 conference record.
USF holds the tiebreaker over Rutgers at the moment, but Villanova trumps both teams due to its better overall record.
It's going to be a tense sunday in the Tristate area tomorrow afternoon. Rutgers needs to win to be in the top eight heading into next weekend, Villanova could practically punch a ticket winning tomorrow and USF is falling fast, so a win tomorrow for them would be a season saving one.
- Martin Bater
Friday, May 09, 2008
USF-St John's postponed. Doubleheader tomorrow.
Tonight's game between the USF Bulls and the St John's Red Storm was postponed because of the weather. The Bulls and the Red Storm will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 P.M tomorrow.
On paper, this favors St John's, which has a deeper team than USF.
On paper, this favors St John's, which has a deeper team than USF.
Magic Number is 3 for USF baseball as it prepares to face Big East leader
The South Florida baseball team (25-22,10-11) which has lost three of its last four games, will stand against the formidable St John's Red Storm (37-10, 16-5) in New York tonight at 6 P.M as it tries to secure a postseason berth.
The Bulls are currently seventh in the conference, one game ahead of eighth place Villanova (9-12) and ninth place Rutgers (9-12). Only eight teams make it to Clearwater for the Big East Tournament.
The good news for USF is that Villanova and Rutgers will beat each other up this weekend in a three game series, with the ideal scenario for the Bulls being that Rutgers takes two of three from the Wildcats. Furthermore, the Bulls have won five of their last six conference games and also hold the tiebreakers over Villanova and Rutgers, so a 13-14 conference record should be enough to clinch a playoff spot.
Now, the bad news. The Bulls will be playing their last six conference games against St John's and Notre Dame, the top two teams in the Big East. The Red Storm have won 10 of their last 11 games and will want to finish the regular season with momentum on their side.
USF has not able to hold leads in critical games due to its young bullpen, which features five freshmen, but that is a luxury the Bulls cannot afford to take if they want to beat quality teams this late in the season.
It is going to be up to redshirt freshman Ryan Lockwood, who is on a 28-game hitting streak, to get on base consistently, and both junior shortstop Addison Maruszak and senior starting pitcher Daniel Thomas (who starts tonight) will have to provide leadership and a calm demeanor to the younger Bulls if things begin to look bleak for USF on the road.
- Martin Bater
The Bulls are currently seventh in the conference, one game ahead of eighth place Villanova (9-12) and ninth place Rutgers (9-12). Only eight teams make it to Clearwater for the Big East Tournament.
The good news for USF is that Villanova and Rutgers will beat each other up this weekend in a three game series, with the ideal scenario for the Bulls being that Rutgers takes two of three from the Wildcats. Furthermore, the Bulls have won five of their last six conference games and also hold the tiebreakers over Villanova and Rutgers, so a 13-14 conference record should be enough to clinch a playoff spot.
Now, the bad news. The Bulls will be playing their last six conference games against St John's and Notre Dame, the top two teams in the Big East. The Red Storm have won 10 of their last 11 games and will want to finish the regular season with momentum on their side.
USF has not able to hold leads in critical games due to its young bullpen, which features five freshmen, but that is a luxury the Bulls cannot afford to take if they want to beat quality teams this late in the season.
It is going to be up to redshirt freshman Ryan Lockwood, who is on a 28-game hitting streak, to get on base consistently, and both junior shortstop Addison Maruszak and senior starting pitcher Daniel Thomas (who starts tonight) will have to provide leadership and a calm demeanor to the younger Bulls if things begin to look bleak for USF on the road.
- Martin Bater
Thursday, May 08, 2008
USF softball receives Big East honors
The USF softball team, which took home the university's first Big East Conference regular season title, was honored at Wednesday's award banquet — which took place in Louisville, KY.
Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano — who went 15-1 on the season — took home Big East Rookie of the Year honors. She finished the season with a Big East best 0.96 ERA and also led the conference in saves (6).
Coach Ken Eriksen and his coaching staff earned the Coaching Staff of the Year award after USF finished 47-12 with a 16-4 record in the Big East.
Several other players earned awards, including senior outfielder Kit Dunbar and junior second baseman Britta Giddens who made the All-Conference first-team.
Pitchers Courtney Mosch (Sr.) and Catalano joined sophomore first baseman JoJo Medina on the All-Conference second-team.
-Joe Rienzi
Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano — who went 15-1 on the season — took home Big East Rookie of the Year honors. She finished the season with a Big East best 0.96 ERA and also led the conference in saves (6).
Coach Ken Eriksen and his coaching staff earned the Coaching Staff of the Year award after USF finished 47-12 with a 16-4 record in the Big East.
Several other players earned awards, including senior outfielder Kit Dunbar and junior second baseman Britta Giddens who made the All-Conference first-team.
Pitchers Courtney Mosch (Sr.) and Catalano joined sophomore first baseman JoJo Medina on the All-Conference second-team.
-Joe Rienzi
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Softball Recap
The USF softball team captured its first regular season title since joining the Big East after going 16-4 in the conference. The Bulls still have work to do with the Big East tournament taking place May 8-10 in Louisville, KY. The Bulls have the No.1 seed and its first game will be against Providence.
The Bulls defeated the Friars 5-4 and 5-1 in the final doubleheader of the season.
Last season the Bulls went to the tournament, however lost to Louisville in the semifials.
The Bulls finished the season 42-17 and are a step closer to becoming the Big East champions.
For an update on the Bulls in the tournament, check out Monday's Oracle
-Carrie Johnson
The Bulls defeated the Friars 5-4 and 5-1 in the final doubleheader of the season.
Last season the Bulls went to the tournament, however lost to Louisville in the semifials.
The Bulls finished the season 42-17 and are a step closer to becoming the Big East champions.
For an update on the Bulls in the tournament, check out Monday's Oracle
-Carrie Johnson
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
USF loses; going for DiMaggio
USF split the season series against the UCF Knights as the Knights won the fourth game of the series 9-5 in what was their first game without former head coach Jay Bergmann. The Bulls are now 25-22 overall, the Knights are 29-21.
Ryan Lockwood extended his hitting streak to 28 games as he continues his pursuit of history. Don't bother asking him about it though, he won't utter a word. But USF coach Lelo Prado will.
"He's the kind of guy you want up in a pressure situation, he plays consistent from the first inning to the last pitch," said Prado.
Lockwood is obviously not going for DiMaggio's record of 56 consecutive games with a hit, but he is going for Robin Ventura's 1987 58-game hitting streak, which currently stands as college baseball's D-I all-time record for consecutive games with at least one hit in a game.
-Martin Bater
Ryan Lockwood extended his hitting streak to 28 games as he continues his pursuit of history. Don't bother asking him about it though, he won't utter a word. But USF coach Lelo Prado will.
"He's the kind of guy you want up in a pressure situation, he plays consistent from the first inning to the last pitch," said Prado.
Lockwood is obviously not going for DiMaggio's record of 56 consecutive games with a hit, but he is going for Robin Ventura's 1987 58-game hitting streak, which currently stands as college baseball's D-I all-time record for consecutive games with at least one hit in a game.
-Martin Bater
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Baseball update
The South Florida baseball team is heading down the last few games of the year before the Big East Tournament, but before it faces St John's next weekend in a critical series, the Bulls face UCF next Tuesday with the opportunity to take the season series between both teams.
USF took a 2-1 series lead after a 10-6 win last Tuesday, and a lot has happened since then.
UCF head coach Jay Bergmann, who had been the Knights' coach for the last 25 years, was fired after allegedly sexually harassing a UCF equipment manager. Associate Head Coach Greg Cozart is now in charge of the team.
Later on this week I will be offering updates on the game and a mini-preview on the St John's series.
-Martin Bater
USF took a 2-1 series lead after a 10-6 win last Tuesday, and a lot has happened since then.
UCF head coach Jay Bergmann, who had been the Knights' coach for the last 25 years, was fired after allegedly sexually harassing a UCF equipment manager. Associate Head Coach Greg Cozart is now in charge of the team.
Later on this week I will be offering updates on the game and a mini-preview on the St John's series.
-Martin Bater
Thursday, May 01, 2008
A little catching up...
Now that exam week is drawing to a close, here are some updates on USF.
First of all, congratulations to coaches Don Barr and Agustin Moreno of the men's and women's tennis teams. They both saw their teams earn berths in the NCAA tournament after second place Big East Conference finishes by the teams.
The NCAA's begin May 9. The men's team is making its first NCAA appearence since 2003, while the women's team is making its third consecutive trip to the NCAA's.
Three former Bulls who went undrafted during last weekend's NFL draft are at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp with the goal of a contract offer from the team. Receiver Amarri Jackson along with Walter Walker and Jared Carnes will be looking for a spot on Tampa's roster.
The Big East Bowl schedule received a shakeup this week with the announcment of the brand new St. Petersburg Bowl. This new bowl game will be played at Tropicana field and feature a Big East team playing a Conference USA team. The Papajohns.com Bowl, which formerly matched teams from those two conferences, will now pit the Big East against the SEC.
There will be more updates as the weekend progresses, so check back for more updates.
-Joe Rienzi
First of all, congratulations to coaches Don Barr and Agustin Moreno of the men's and women's tennis teams. They both saw their teams earn berths in the NCAA tournament after second place Big East Conference finishes by the teams.
The NCAA's begin May 9. The men's team is making its first NCAA appearence since 2003, while the women's team is making its third consecutive trip to the NCAA's.
Three former Bulls who went undrafted during last weekend's NFL draft are at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp with the goal of a contract offer from the team. Receiver Amarri Jackson along with Walter Walker and Jared Carnes will be looking for a spot on Tampa's roster.
The Big East Bowl schedule received a shakeup this week with the announcment of the brand new St. Petersburg Bowl. This new bowl game will be played at Tropicana field and feature a Big East team playing a Conference USA team. The Papajohns.com Bowl, which formerly matched teams from those two conferences, will now pit the Big East against the SEC.
There will be more updates as the weekend progresses, so check back for more updates.
-Joe Rienzi
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