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Baseball is back, opening series info and discussion: USF Vs Marist


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Bulls Start Gearing Up for 2020 Season Under the Lights

BULLS START GEARING UP FOR 2020 SEASON UNDER THE LIGHTS

January 25, 2020
 
 
 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, JAN. 24, 2020 – Head coach Billy Mohl's motivated Bulls got right into game mode during the first team practice of the 2020 season on Friday night.

Under the bright lights at USF Baseball Stadium, the new-look coaching staff got a good glimpse of the players' offseason progress during intrasquad action. Two more scrimmages are set to take place over the weekend, as USF goes full speed ahead in preparing for the regular season that begins with a home series against Marist College Feb. 14-16.

Jasiak"Seeing how much development took place over the last six weeks is gonna be a fun thing to watch," Mohl said. "We're trying to get in the swing of things, gets these guys in a game day atmosphere, get them under the lights and simulate a three-game series as best as we can."

One huge benefit for the Bulls this weekend, and throughout the preseason, is having lots of options available. Much to Mohl's enjoyment, USF has returned to the field much healthier than it was during the 2019 season, especially in the pitching department.

"Given the injuries we had last year, it was tough. We were short-staffed," sophomore catcher Julio Cortez said. "This year, we have new JUCO arms that came in. We have a couple freshmen we're really excited about."

Cortez (Weston, Fla.) led the Bulls with a .354 batting average last season and he'll share a bulk of the catching duties with healthy redshirt junior Jake Sullivan (Tampa). Together, the four-man catching unit gets to work with 11 returning pitchers and more talent from a group of 12 newcomers overall. Nine position starters also bring valuable experience back to the Bulls.

"I feel confident with this group," said Mohl, who added team chemistry is at an "all-time high" right now entering his third year as USF's head coach.

#CarryTheBoat
Coach Mohl credits his players for their offseason efforts of building a close-team culture that includes a catchy, new slogan.

#CarryTheBoat will be something Bulls fans see often on Twitter this season. Redshirt junior infielder/outfielder Riley Hogan (Orlando) brought the saying to Bulls' attention after finding inspiration from New York Times bestselling author David Goggins, a retired U.S. Navy Seal.

BSB"The guys love him, just because he's a self-made man," Mohl said. "When you go through Seal training, it takes the entire team to carry those boats as you're going through the beach sand. It's kind of the phrase that they came up with and it's kind of a team unity deal."

Catcher Julio Cortez said the Bulls bring up the #CarryTheBoat slogan often and they'll continue to do so during the grind of the 54-game regular season.

"It's something we use to pump us up before practice, before workouts," Cortez said. "Baseball is a very repetitive sport, so you've got to find motivation day-in and day-out. That's kind of our thing this year and that's what we're gonna use."
 
Mitchell Earns Preseason Honors
Promising outfielder Dontae Mitchell has already earned some preseason praise.

Perfect Game USA has named the St. Petersburg, Fla., product out of Lakewood High School its 2020 Preseason Freshman of the Year for the American Athletic Conference.

"He's a really talented player and he's a really hardworking kid," Mohl said. "He has all the tools to be successful."

DontaeDescribed as an "elite defensive center fielder" by Mohl, Mitchell has the ability to play all three outfield positions for the Bulls, and his bat keeps getting better.

"He didn't play a lot of travel ball, so he's very fresh," Mohl said. "He's like a blank slate and our hitting coaches have done a great job developing him. I'm excited for him."
 
Former USF Standouts Headed to Spring Training
2020 Major League Baseball spring training will feature plenty of Bulls.

Former standout USF pitchers Shane McClanahan (Tampa Bay), Phoenix Sanders (Tampa Bay) Jimmy Herget (Texas), Tommy Eveld (Miami) and Austin Adams (Seattle) have been to participate with their respective big league clubs. Kevin Merrill, an All-American shortstop for the Bulls in 2017, also will head to spring training with the Kansas City Royals.
 

Congrats to @teveld on the big league invite with the @Marlins. He also has a little message for our fans. ?? #BayMade pic.twitter.com/KzFKdBokXJ

 Billy Mohl (@USF_CoachMohl) January 21, 2020


"It starts in the recruiting process. Our assistant coaches have done a great job recruiting great players," Mohl said. "Our coaches also have done a great job developing them and allowing them to get to the level they're at.

"Obviously, they've taken the next step now. They're Bay made and I'm proud of all those guys. They're great alums. They're always back here supporting our guys and I love following their careers."
 
Get Your Tickets
Fans can get a great deal by picking up the 2020 Double Play Pass, which includes admission to all USF baseball/softball regular-season home games for only $75.

Purchase the mobile-only pass at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
 
About USF Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball program is one of the fastest rising programs in the country. The Bulls earned their third NCAA Regional berth in the last four seasons and had six all-conference selections in 2018. Four players were selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, including the program's fourth first rounder, pitcher Shane McClanahan. Third baseman David Villar was taken in the 11th round after being named first team all-conference and an All-American. The Bulls reached the NCAA Regionals in 2015 for the first time in 13 years and followed that success with a 42-19 record and second NCAA regional trip in three years in 2017. The Bulls continued the success in head coach Billy Mohl first season in 2018, reaching 36 wins and advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2012, while being ranked in multiple polls for the final two months of the season. The USF Baseball program has won five conference titles and the Bulls have made 13 NCAA appearances.
Edited by BrassBulls12
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Hopefully they have a better start than softball.

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I think the Friday night guy is pretty much known. Any predictions on who get the ball on Saturday and Sunday? 

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Really interested to see how Hoffman and Ragsdale bounce back from Tommy John. If they're good to go, we'll be solid on the mound. It's all about where the offense is going to come from. Sound familiar?

Edited by Dave_Glaser
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Guest Jonesy Bull
On 2/13/2020 at 12:15 PM, Dave_Glaser said:

Really interested to see how Hoffman and Ragsdale bounce back from Tommy John. If they're good to go, we'll be solid on the mound. It's all about where the offense is going to come from. Sound familiar?

Yeah that kind of sums up USF athletics in general (at least this year).

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On 2/13/2020 at 12:15 PM, Dave_Glaser said:

Really interested to see how Hoffman and Ragsdale bounce back from Tommy John. If they're good to go, we'll be solid on the mound. It's all about where the offense is going to come from. Sound familiar?

Let’s get xCWT back to coach the baseball squad and watch the runs pile up!

#gulfcoastoffenseforallUSFteams

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Games are audio only for those out of town for this series. 

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Really small crowd. Between Valentine's Day and weather and last year's team I guess it is understandable.

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If you aren't in attendance, it's on Bulls Unlimited.  I enjoyed a lot of games on that channel while driving, lawn work, exercising (rarely).   Last year it was Louk/Strong...haven't tuned in yet tonight.

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Bulls down 3 to 0 top of 3rd

Edited by NewEnglandBull
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