Trailing 8-2, Bulls Come Back for 12-9 Victory and Sweep of The Citadel

In the final game of the weekend series, the previously unproductive The Citadel Bulldogs (who had managed just 3 runs in 18 innings) came alive.  In game three, they jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a wild Alec Wisely and three hits, one USF error and five walks.  Fortunately, the Bulls responded with two runs on one hit and one error.  Wisely's line on the day:  0.2 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 K and 1 HR given up (to leadoff batter).  Wisely's performance blew his ERA up to 6.43 on the season.

His relief help was somewhat more successful, but still pushed around a bit. Dylan Burns and Nelson Alvarez followed in relief and couldn't stop the Bulldog onslaught surrendering a combined 3 runs on five hits and four walks in 3.2 innings of work.  FInally, Richie Cruz came in to sew down the pitching trouble, completing the final 4 2/3 innings without allowing a single run.  Cruz struck out three and walked one. 

It was a rough game for the Bulls, but rougher for The Citadel.  Of the Bulls' 12 runs, just five were earned as the four Bulldog errors allowed seven other runs to cross the plate.  The Bulls did outhit the Bulldogs, 10-9, with four of those hits coming in the six run Bulls 4th.  In that inning, Joe Genord created some highlight tape with a bases clearing three run double.  He next moved to third base on a wild pitch, later stealing home as Chris Chatfield swiped second.   Genord finished the game three for five with six RBI.  Joining the first baseman with a multi-hit day was Dylan Buck and Alex Bello - the freshmen each going two for five on the day.

That's two wins today and three for the weekend equaling a series sweep of The Citadel.

The Bulls are back in action Wednesday, in Ft. Myers, against Florida Gulf Coast University.