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Six-Run Eighth Gives Bulls Series Opening Win against Dartmouth
The Bulls turned a 3-1 deficit to a 7-3 lead; Joe Genord and Jordan Santos each had two hits.
TAMPA, FLA., MARCH 15, 2019 – Trailing by two in the eighth inning, the USF baseball team plated six runs to take its first lead and held on in the ninth to win the series opener against Dartmouth, 7-3.
Junior Jordan Santos (Tampa) got the Bulls (9-7) going in the top of the eighth with a single. Senior Joe Genord (Lake Worth, Fla.) singled with one away two batters later, setting USF up with runners at the corners. Senior Garrett Zech (Naples, Fla.) pinch ran for Genord, and the speed upgrade paid dividends.
Junior Austin Bodrato (Northvale, N.J.) doubled to left center in the next at-bat, scoring Santos and Zech from first, tying the game at 3-3. USF was able to load the bases with two away for freshman Nick Gonzalez (Tampa). A high fly ball to right was botched by the Big Green (4-6) outfielder, allowing three runs to score, putting the Bulls up 6-3. Senior catcher Tyler Dietrich (Naples, Fla.) added some insurance with an RBI single, scoring Gonzalez.
Dartmouth made things interesting in the bottom half, loading the bases with one out. Junior righty Nelson Alvarez (Miami) entered with the bases juiced and was able to induce a grounder which USF turned into a game-clinching play.
It was a pitcher’s duel through the first four innings. Junior righty Collin Sullivan (Randolph, Mass.) had a no-hitter working into top of the fifth. Dartmouth was able to strike in the frame to take a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom half, senior Chris Chatfield (Riverview, Fla.) launched a solo homer to center, tying things up. The Big Green retook the lead with a run in the sixth and top of the eighth, before USF erupted in the bottom half.
Key Stats
8 – In three games this week, Genord already has eight hits.
2 – Chatfield’s second homer of the season.
3 – Alvarez’s third save of the year.
17 – Santos worked his 17th walk of the yeat.
Nota-Bulls
· Santos and Genord each went 2-for-4.
· Chatfield scored two runs.
· Collin Sullivan went 6.1, allowing two hits with one earned run.
Up Next
The Bulls and Big Green continue the series Saturday at 6:30 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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Patrick Puzzo
Assistant Director of Communications (Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing) // USF Athletics // puzzo@usf.edu
