Bulls Season Ends with 7-3 Loss to Shockers

5/18/19

Tampa, Fl - The Bulls blew it all in the span of four innings.  Up 3-0 and cruising through five innings, the Bulls collapsed and lost not only the series, but a chance to play in the conference tournament and the possibility of ending the season with more wins than losses.  It was a genuinely displeasing day of USF Baseball.  

Starter Alec Wisely began strong and settled in, giving up just two hits through five innings before giving up three runs on two hits (including a 2 run home run) and a hit batsman.  Wisely finished the sixth, but the damage was done - the Bulls three run lead was erased.

The Bulls had scored once in the first and twice in the fifth.  The first run was on a bases loaded bases on balls.  In the fifth,  Jordan Santos doubled home Kyle Phillips and Tyler Dietrich both had reach based without having to hit the ball, a bases on balls and HBP respectively.  In total, the Bulls would manage four hits.

Bulls closer, Nelson Alvarez, entered in the 7th on a gamble by Bulls coach Billy Mohl.  The gamble didn't pay off.  Alvarez struggled with location after he entered his third inning of relief.  In the 9th Alvarez walked the lead off batter, then the third batter following a ground out.   The Shockers capitalized with run scoring fielder's choice and later a three run scoring double, pushing across four runs in the inning.

On whole, the Bulls surrendered six earned runs (Wisely, Alvarez three each) on six hits and four bases on balls (all Alvarez).  Alvarez did strike out five in 2 2/3.Alvarado had pitched more than two innings of relief on four occasions this season, totaling four earned runs in those outings.

The Bulls finish 26-27 with 8 conference wins against 16 losses.