USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com
The Bulls scored four runs in the top of the 10th to get by the Wildcats, 7-4
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA., MARCH 13, 2019 – The USF baseball team scored the final seven runs, including four in the top of the 10th to win an extra-innings clash at Bethune-Cookman Wednesday night, 7-4.
The Wildcats plated runs every other inning, striking in the first, third and fifth to lead 3-0 in the top of the sixth. The Bulls finally began to threaten with back-to-back singles off the bats of seniors Kyle Phillips (Orlando) and Joe Genord (Lake Worth, Fla.). Junior Austin Bodrato (Northvale, N.J.) walked to load the bases with one out.
Senior Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) hit a comebacker to the pitcher in the next at-bat. The pitcher threw home to get Phillips out on a force, but the throw to first in an attempt to double-up Chatfield was errand, and Genord scored to get USF on the board to add to his big night.
Two batters later, freshman Dylan Buck (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) singled to right to tie the game. Junior lefty Noah Yager (Davie, Fla.) held onto the tie with 2.2 scoreless frames. Classmate and righty Nelson Alvarez (Miami) entered with two away in the eighth and struck out the first of what would be seven Wildcats.
Alvarez struck out the side in the ninth, setting USF up in the 10th. Phillips singled to lead off the inning, then Genord launched his fifth homer of the season to left. Three batters later, Tyler Dietrich (Naples, Fla.) hit a two-run shot of his own to left, making it 7-3. The Wildcats got one back in the bottom half, but Alvarez put the finishing touches on the game, striking out the side once more.
Key Stats
11 – 11 Bulls have hit home runs this season.
5 – Genord’s fifth home run of the year and 36th career.
4 – Genord’s career high four hits.
Nota-Bulls
· Alvarez retired seven Wildcats, all with the strikeout.
· Genord finished 4-for-5 with a homer, two RBI and two runs.
· Phillips went 2-for-5 with a run.
· Buck finished 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Up Next
The Bulls return to Tampa for a three-game series with Dartmouth beginning Friday at 7 p.m.
About USF Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball team is one of the fastest rising programs in the country. 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 under first-year head coach Billy Mohl 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. USF earned its third NCAA Regional berth in the last four seasons and had six all-conference selections in 2018. The team had four players drafted in the 2018 MLB Draft, including the program’s fourth first rounder, Shane McClanahan. Junior third baseman David Villar was taken in the 11th round after tallying 24 doubles and hitting better than .370, being named first team all-conference and an All-American. The USF Baseball program has won five conference titles and the Bulls have made 13 NCAA appearances.
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– #GoBulls –
Patrick Puzzo
Assistant Director of Communications (Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing) // USF Athletics
