GoUSFBulls.com Merrell’s Two Homers Guides Bulls to Best Start in Program History

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com

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Merrell’s Two Homers Guides Bulls to Best Start in Program History

USF won its 11th-straight and improves to a program-best 12-1

 

TAMPA, MARCH. 8, 2017 – For a second-straight night the University of South Florida baseball team clubbed 15 hits while the arms combined to allow just two hits, solidifying an 11th-consecutive win and the program’s best start to a season with an 8-1 victory over Villanova on Wednesday. 

The Bulls (12-1) were sent down in order in the first, but quickly figured out Wildcat (1-10) starter Ryan Pfutzenreuter. After putting two men on in the second and not producing a run, sophomore Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.) tripled to lead off the third. Junior Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) would only begin his monster day with a single to drive home Zech. A throwing error allowed Merrell to score with two outs, as the Bulls held a 2-0 edge heading into the fourth. 

With two men on and no outs in the bottom of that fourth frame, Merrell dug into the batter’s box and took an 0-1 fastball high and deep over the right field fence onto the Bulls’ batting cage, making it 5-0. Just four pitches later, sophomore Coco Montes (Miami) drove a fastball over the left field fence to make it 6-0.

USF added one more in the frame, which turned out to be plenty of support for a pitching staff that was dominant once again. A perfect game was taken into the sixth inning and for a second time this year, the Bulls’ arms combined to allow fewer than three hits. 

Key Stats

• Merrell matched his career high with four hits in five at bats. His two homers were a career-best, as he only had one career blast heading into the game.
• Merrell also scored three runs and drove in a career high five RBI.
• Zech went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Montes clubbed two hits and sophomore Joe Genord (Lake Worth, Fla.) went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
• Freshman starter D.J. Roberts (Jacksonville) logged 6.0 innings in his second-straight start, allowed two hits and one run while fanning six.
• The bullpen hurled three 3.0 perfect innings.

Notables

• The Bulls are now on an 11-game winning streak, tied for the fifth-longest in program history. The 11-consecutive victories are the second-most in all of college baseball this year. 
• The 12-1 start for USF is the best 13-game start in program history.
• Merrell and Montes became the first Bulls to club back-to-back homeruns since March 20of last season. 
• Merrell’s two blasts make him the first Bull to hit two bombs in one game since March 16 of last season. Teammate Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) was the man to do so against North Florida in 2016.

Up Next

The Bulls will look to maintain momentum when they host Valparaiso for three games this weekend, with first pitch in the series set for Friday at 6:30 p.m. 

[raptorcj]

Incredible run, and great showing from the bullpen. Go Bulls!

[smazza]

impressive

[jasonb56]

Should we expect to be ranked shortly? just wondering...

[GaUSFBull]

31 minutes ago, jasonb56 said:

Should we expect to be ranked shortly? just wondering...

****, I was just coming here to post this.  

[Mama_Bull]

53 minutes ago, jasonb56 said:

Should we expect to be ranked shortly? just wondering...

I had posted this in another thread yesterday:

There are a few baseball ranking sites where we are already receiving votes, So, we could be ranked by at least one of them next week, if we win all of of our upcoming games.

This was posted on the ccsnbbs.com AAC board: 

 

RE: 2017 AAC Baseball Season Thread. College Baseball is here. 

Summary:

Baseball America:
8) ECU

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/t...lUjH6pA.97

 

USA Today poll out now:

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/bas...ches-poll/

#17 ECU

Others receiving votes:

#27 UCF
#31 UH
#37 USF

NCBWA:
19) ECU
24) UH

Others Receiving Votes: Memphis, USF, UCF

http://www.sportswriters.net/ncbwa/news/...70306.html

Collegiate Baseball:
20) ECU

http://baseballnews.com/collegiate-baseb...ll-3-6-17/

Perfect Game:
10) ECU
20) UH
Also considered: USF, UCF

https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/Vie...icle=13590

D1 Baseball:
18) ECU
23) UH

https://d1baseball.com/rankings/d1baseba...s-march-6/

Edited March 9, 2017 by Mama_Bull

[GaUSFBull]

Wow, looks like it's setting up for a solid series against UCF in early April.  

[Breedwell]

We should be able to win the series against Valpo. 14-2 or 15-1 is very doable. 

[jchem1995]

Merrell is a beast. He's a legend at Steinbrenner. So glad he stayed home.

[JoeB]

I was at both games this week.  Team has looked great at the plate.  Joe Genord started hitting which is huge for this team.  Merrell'stwo homers were absolte bombs last night.  We really haven't beaten anyone of significance (aside from FSU) so I don't anticipate any ranking soon...maybe until AAC season starts.