BB:  Bulls Look to Get Back on Winning Track

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID

Bulls Look To Get Back On Winning Track Against Miami (Ohio) On Tuesday

TAMPA, Fla. (Mar. 12, 2007) – The University of South Florida baseball team (12-6) looks to get back on the winning track on Tuesday, March 13 as the Bulls host the University of Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (3-6) at 6 p.m. at Red McEwen Field.  

The game will be the first meeting between the Bulls and RedHawks.  

Last week USF was 2-2, beating Stetson 6-5 on Tuesday and Michigan State 13-5 Thursday, but dropping back-to-back games to Quinnipiac, 5-4, and Michigan State, 7-5, Friday and Saturday.  

The Bulls are batting .329 in 18 games, connecting on 201 hits in 611 at bats. USF has registered 132 RBI from eight home runs, four triples and 37 doubles. The Bulls have out-scored their opponents 146-109 and have collected 61 more bases than their opponents (270-209).  

On the mound USF owns a collective 4.47 ERA, giving up 159 hits and 80 earned runs. The staff has recorded 142 strikeouts and 87 walks in 161.0 innings. USF is holding their opponents to a .255 batting average.  

Miami is also on a two-game losing streak, dropping two of three with Texas last weekend. The RedHawks come to Miami with a 3-6 overall record, which includes two wins over Winthrop and a 6-2 victory over Texas last Friday.  

In nine games, Miami is batting .250 with 74 hits in 296 at bats. The RedHawks have collected one home run, four triples and 15 doubles for 100 total bases. In nine games, Miami has scored 30 runs and tallied 29 RBI.  

Miami’s pitching staff owns a 4.40 ERA, allowing 36 earned runs from 77 hits. The RedHawks have struck out 41 opponents and walked 34, while giving up six home runs.  

Sophomore Addison Maruszak leads the Bulls offensively, batting .400, hitting 24-of-60 at the plate. His 15 RBI are second-best on the team, behind junior Brandin Daniel’s 26. Daniel is batting .385 (25-65) with two home runs and five doubles. Senior Ty Taborelli also has two home runs, along with four doubles and 14 RBI.  

Freshman Matt Quevedo, who is 1-0 this season, is the probable starter Tuesday night. He holds a 3.79 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 19.0 innings. He has made five appearances this season, starting two games.  

Miami’s Brandon Hillier leads the RedHawks with a .324 batting average from his team-high 12 hits in 37 at bats. He has recorded one home run and one double to earn three RBI. Hillier has only struck out once in nine games this season. Dan Leonard has tallied a team-high seven RBI with two doubles and a .276 average in eight games.  

Following Tuesday night’s game with the RedHawks, the Bulls will open their BIG EAST Conference schedule March 16-18. USF will host Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, then again at noon on Sunday.

[JoeB]

Need a victory on Tuesday to stop the bleeding.  Bulls are 3-5 since UF came to town.  Need to get back to winning with conference play coming up this weekend.