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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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