Baseball wins 6-4

[mattegunz]

http://gobulls.usf.edu/Sports/News.asp?i=1366&s=Baseball

Big Plays In Eighth Propel USF Baseball to Fifth Straight Win

(March 1, 2005) Honolulu, Hawaii – After California-Davis and USF traded four runs in the first inning of the opening game of the Rainbow Baseball Tournament, a pitchers’ duel broke out. Neither team was able to score further runs through seven innings, but shortstop Dexter Butler capped off a series of big plays in USF’s half of the eighth inning with a two-run single for a 6-4 win. It was USF’s fifth straight win to push the Bulls to 9-5 on the season.

Designated hitter Brian Baisley opened the bottom half of the eighth with a double into left field. Nick Cardieri layed down a sacrifice bunt attempt that found a hole in the Cal-Davis (6-7) defense for a hit that moved Baisley to third. Jeremy Brand came in to pinch run for Cardieri and stole second to set up Butler.

Despite a .163 batting average entering the at-bat, Butler drove a 1-2 pitch up the middle to score both runners for the win.

“That was a great team win,†said USF head coach Eddie Cardieri. “There were so many big plays. Brian Baisley hits the double and then Nick (Cardieri) lays down a beautiful bunt that was intended as a sacrifice. Jeremy Brand’s steal was big. Dexter Butler’s hit was big. And how about (pitcher) Tim Mattison’s performance? Big.â€Â

Mattison, who had Tommy John surgery one year ago next week, entered in relief of starter Ty Pryor in the sixth inning and threw 2.2 strong innings of shutout ball to set up Daniel Thomas (4-1), who threw the final 1.1 innings, for the win.

Pryor, a freshman, settled in nicely after two walks and three hits led to four Cal-Davis runs in the top of the first. But Pryor lasted through five innings, allowing just one more hit before giving way to Mattison. The Bulls offense helped Pryor with three singles and two walks that produced four runs in the bottom half of the f irst.

USF plays Louisiana-Lafayette Wednesday at 10:30 (HST).