Bulls Welcome Columbia to Town For a Four-Game Series

[Brad]

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Matchups: USF (4-4) vs. Columbia (0-4)
Dates: Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4 
Times: 7 p.m. | 2 p.m. (DH) | 1 p.m.
Location: Tampa, Fla., | Tampa (3,211) 
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Bulls Welcome Columbia to Town For a Four-Game Series
USF and Columbia will meet for the first time since 2014  

 

TAMPA, MARCH 1, 2018 – The University of South Florida baseball team will look to keep its power surge going when it opens a four-game series against Columbia Friday at 7 p.m.

The Bulls (4-4) followed up a 13-hit, 13-run finale to win the Fordham series with a 14-hit, 16-run bludgeon at Bethune-Cookman Wednesday night. USF defeated the Wildcats, 16-1, scoring its most runs in a game since 2014. 

USF tallied nine extra-base hits with five double, two triples and two homers. Junior Garrett Zech(Naples, Fla.) matched a career-high with three hits, two being triples. He became the first Bull to do that in a game since May 29, 2015.

Classmate David Villar (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) went 3-for-6 and was just a triple shy of the cycle. Freshman righty Baron Stuart (Okeechobee, Fla.) had plenty of run support, but was solid in his first career start, going 5.0 strong innings.  

SERIES HISTORY

The Bulls and Lions are meeting for the ninth time on Friday and for the first time since 2014. All eight previous matchups have been in Tampa. The Bulls own a 5-3 edge in the series and have won two-straight.

SCOUTING REPORT

The Lions opened their season at UNLV last weekend, dropping four games to start 2018. Sophomore catcher Liam McGill led the Columbia offense, hitting .538 (7-for-13) with three runs, a homer and three RBI. Junior infielder Joe Engel was also a bright spot, hitting .375 with three RBI and a run scored. 

The Lions will throw righty Ty Wiest on Friday, lefty Ben Wereski in game one Saturday, righty Harrison Egly in game two of the doubleheader and righty Jordan Chriss on Sunday.  

NOTA-BULLS

·   Junior Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) went 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI Wednesday, upping his team-high average to .393.

·   Tyler Dietrich (Naples, Fla.) hit his third double in the last three games Wednesday night. For the second time since Saturday, it came with the bases loaded and cleared the bags.

·   Junior transfers Kyle Phillips (Orlando) and Jordan Feist (Brandon, Fla.) hit a home run a double, respectively, against Bethune-Cookman. 

[BrassBulls12]

We need to get Shane a win this series. 

[CousinRicky]

18 hours ago, BrassBulls12 said:

We need to get Shane a win this series. 

Actually Shane needs to get the Bulls a win this series.

[Brad]

Yet to give up an earned run. 

[Brad]

Video and audio and perhaps some commentary in the Baseball club:  

 

[BrassBulls12]

4 hours ago, Bourbon Bull said:

Actually Shane needs to get the Bulls a win this series.

 

3 hours ago, Brad said:

Yet to give up an earned run. 

Shane has done his part. The offense has let him down last start. Tonight......different story. 

Edited March 3, 2018 by BrassBulls12

[NewEnglandBull]

I guess Columbia is still looking for a replacement since Lou Gehrig left...

[BrassBulls12]

 

 Bull’s offense stays hot as they cruise past the Columbia Lions 13-1. The Bulls collected 16 hits on the night to give ace pitcher Shane McClanahan his second win on the season.

The bulls were lead once again by Villar and Chatfield at the plate as the two combined for six hits, five of which went for extra bases. Villar slammed his second HR in as many games bringing his total up to 3. Duke Stunkel Jr. returned to the lineup tonight and wasted no time getting in the groove. He went 2-4 with 3 RBI’s and a double. Tonight you could really just close your eyes and point to the line up and you would most likely find a Bull hitter with a good night as every starter posted at least one hit.

Genord also made his return as he took an at bat for Stunkel and finished the game at 1B.

McClanahan pitched well once again. In two starts, he had yet to allow any earned runs and tonight was no different. The ace looked the part as he struck out 12 Lion batters and surrendered only 3 hits and 2 walks.  The limited amount of walks is huge, as consistent command has plagued him in the past. Hope this is a trend that continues. If so, the Bulls could be watching a Golden Spikes nominee every Friday night.  The relievers were perfect as Eason and Korosec completed the final three innings allowing no hits and no runs.

Overall, it was another exiting night for Bulls fans. We saw the return of both Stunkel and Genord, our ace continued to be dominant, and Bulls’ bats struggled to miss the baseball. One thing we didn’t like was the three errors, but we will give the Bulls a pass. Sugar Shane might have lulled his defense to sleep by striking out so many hitters.  Great night, go Bulls!

Edited March 3, 2018 by BrassBulls12

[CousinRicky]

We were graced by a celebrity watching the game last night.  Sitting in front of us was former manager of the Braves Bobby Cox.  Didn't realize who he was until some kids came up to get his autograph and my wife noticed he had a Braves belt on.  Then it hit me. Just listening in to his comments my wife heard him say he was impressed with his first inning but not as much with some of the others. Don't know if he was there looking for the Braves but the kid he was with said they were there to see Shane and they left when Shane was pulled.  It has been a pretty cool week as the USA women's hockey team was 2 suites from us at the Lightning game the other night. And looks like we'll get to see Tiger Woods on Thursday at the Valspar. 

[Brad]