The Bulls swept a three-game series vs. Stetson two weeks ago.
MATCHUP: USF vs. Stetson (single game)
SCHEDULE: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
FOLLOW: USF Live Stats I Twitter updates @USFBaseball
RADIO: BullsUnlimited (iheart Radio)
WATCH: ESPN+ (USF)
TAMPA (March 15, 2021) – The USF Bulls (7-6) open a three-opponent five-game home stand on Tuesday against Stetson University (11-6). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at USF Baseball Stadium.
The Bulls swept Stetson in a three-game series two weeks ago, and are most recently coming off the wrong end of a three-game sweep to FGCU. All six USF losses this season have come to FGCU. Three of Stetson’s six losses have come to USF as the Hatters were previously undefeated at 10-0 prior to the last matchup.
Head coach Billy Mohl (4th season) has announced Collin Sullivan (Randolph, Mass.) as Tuesday’s starter. The veteran right-hander is 0-0 with a 7.45 ERA in three appearances (two starts) this season. Sullivan is 7-7 with a 4.22 ERA in his career. The redshirt senior made a start against Stetson in the last series and allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts over 3.2 IP.
Redshirt freshman Carmine Lane (Lake Placid) has taken over the mantle as the Bulls’ leading hitter with a .375 clip. He tallied a career-high four-hit game vs. Stetson on March 6th. True freshman Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) continues to swing a hot bat and has reached base safely in 13 consecutive games to begin his collegiate career. Nick Gonzalez (Tampa) is batting .471 over his last five games while Roberto Pena (Caracas, Venezuela) is hitting .467 in that same span.
Scouting Stetson
Since the last time they met, Stetson has lost a single game to Florida, 10-7, and dropped a three-game series at Alabama. The Hatters won game one against the Crimson Tide, 4-2, fell in extra innings of game two, 4-3, and lost the finale, 9-4. Stetson still ranks in the top 50 of team ERA (3.56) and WHIP (1.26). Left-hander Anthony DeFabbia (2-0) is the Hatters’ projected starter and carries a 2.08 ERA into the tilt. The freshman struck out a season-best seven batters last month against North Alabama. Nick Durgin, who the Bulls handed a loss to in their last series, was named the ASUN Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Durgin struck out nine and allowed two runs on just two hits over 8.0 IP vs. Alabama. Offensively, Hernen Sardinas (.321) is Stetson’s only batter hitting over .300. The Hatters are a patient bunch at the plate, having drawn 64 total walks, with four players taking at least seven free passes.
Up Next
The Bulls host Florida Atlantic University for a three-game series beginning Friday, March 19. FAU was ranked No. 20 nationally last week, but fell outside the top 25 this week.
About USF Baseball
The USF Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and is entering its 56th season in 2021. The Bulls have won 1,628 games entering the 2021 season and made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three since 2015. The Bulls have won four conference tournament titles (3 Sun Belt and 1 Metro) and had 126 all-conference selections. USF baseball players have been recognized with All-America honors 12 times, most recently with third baseman David Villar in 2018. Four players were selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, including the program’s fourth first round selection in pitcher Shane McClanahan, who appeared in the 2020 World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Bulls saw continued success in head coach Billy Mohl’s first season in 2018, reaching 36 wins, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2012, and making the program’s latest NCAA Tournament appearance while also achieving a ranking in multiple polls for the final two months of the season.
– #GoBulls –
