GoUSFBulls.com USF Drops Series Opener to No. 25 Michigan State

[Brad]

USF Drops Series Opener to No. 25 Michigan State

March 18, 2016
By  USF

 

TAMPA (MARCH 18, 2016) – The University of South Florida baseball team (10-9) lost the series opener against No. 25 Michigan State (14-1) by a final score of 11-1 on Friday evening. The series continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.  

“We have made progress and we have been playing really well against good teams but that is a top 25 team, justifiably so, and we couldn’t compete with them tonight,” said USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston. 

MSU opened the game with a two-run first inning.

USF nearly cut the deficit down in the third. Infielder Coco Montes (Miami, Fla.) hit a one-out double to left field and moved to third on a passed ball but MSU pitcher Cam Vieaux escaped the jam unscathed.

The Bulls also threatened in the fourth. USF put the first two hitters on base, but once again, Vieaux weaved around trouble without allowing a run.

Michigan State extended the lead in the fifth, capitalizing on three defensive errors, for a seven run advantage.

The Bulls scored their lone run in the fifth on a Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) double and an MSU throwing error.

Montes posted two hits in the game for USF, tying a career high. He also recorded a run scored as well.

USF starting pitcher Phoenix Sanders (Gainesville, Fla.) takes the defeat, yielding five earned runs in 6.0 innings.

Pitchers Daniel Portales (Tampa, Fla.) and Hayden Kelley (Tampa, Fla.) both made their season debuts on the mound.

The Bulls will look to even up the series on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. USF will have right-hander Brandon Lawson (Brooksville, Fla.) on the mound against MSU righty Ethan Landon (1-0, 2.49). Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com.

 

- #GoBulls -

[CousinRicky]

Another night of bad defense.  Three official errors.  A missed play by the SS in the 1st inning wasn't ruled an error but he botched a grounder, missed stepping on 2nd for the force and then the throw to 1st was late.  That led to the 2nd run of the evening.  

[Bull Matrix]

I know it is early, but I think I will cancel plans of heading to Omaha this June. Maybe next year. 

[CousinRicky]

Don't see a new thread so just want to put it out there that we took the last 2 games of the series, 2 - 0 on Sat night and 7 -5 today with 4 HRs.  Also Levi Borders was back in the lineup today and hit a 3 run HR.  So a nice series win against a tough opponent.

[NewEnglandBull]

Glad to see this. Followed the game on line for a while and this was a nice team win. First time USF baseball has won a series over a ranked team in three years.