Joaquin Monque drove in the go-ahead runs in the eighth for USF, but Cincinnati rallied for a 6-4 victory.
TAMPA (May 2, 2021) – It was an action-packed finish in Sunday’s series finale between the University of South Florida (17-21, 7-9 AAC) and Cincinnati (21-20, 10-10 AAC), but it ultimately concluded as one that got away from the Bulls in a 6-4 setback. The Bulls and Bearcats combined for eight of the game’s 10 runs over the final two innings, with a four-run ninth by Cincinnati standing as the difference.
Cincinnati and USF split the four-game series played at USF Baseball Stadium.
Carmine Lane (Lake Placid) erased a 1-0 USF deficit with a solo homer in the sixth frame of an otherwise low-scoring affair before the eighth inning rolled around.
The Bearcats took a 2-1 edge in the top of the eighth which led to the two-out heroics by Joaquin Monque (Weston). With the bases loaded, the true freshman connected on a two-run single to chase home the go-ahead runs.
Suddenly just three outs away from victory and a series win, the ninth inning is one the Bulls would like to have back. In total, the Bearcats scored four runs, two of which were unearned, on just one hit. That one hit was a bloop single on a failed bunt attempt that glanced off Lane’s glove in fair territory when the third baseman lunged at the ball in an effort for a spectacular catch.
The ninth began with a hit batter, and the single followed. After the first out of the inning, a walk loaded the bases, and the tying run scored on an error when two Bulls collided in shallow right field. Two more Bearcats were hit by pitches with the bases loaded and the final run crossed on a wild pitch.
Despite the chaotic top half of the frame, the Bulls refused to go down without a fight.
Daniel Cantu (Jacksonville) was hit by a pitch with one out in USF’s half of the ninth. Riley Hogan (Orlando) promptly drove him home with an RBI-double. Matt Ruiz (Hialeah) followed with a walk and represented the tying run. With two outs, Lane drew a walk to load the bases, but Cincinnati snuffed out the rally and recorded the final out.
Notable
- Collin Sullivan (Randolph, Mass.) maintained his recent excellence on the mound Sunday in a no decision. The redshirt senior notched his fourth quality start in his last six outings, allowing one run on five hits with seven strikeouts over 6.1 IP.
- Roberto Peña (Caracas, Venezuela) and Nick Gonzalez (Tampa) had two hits apiece.
- Jake Sullivan (Tampa) hit .417 (5-for-12) with four RBI in the series.
- Hogan is batting .409 (18-for-44) with eight extra-base hits and 12 RBI over his last 10 games.
Up Next
The Bulls travel to Memphis for a four-game series on May 7-9. The series begins with a doubleheader on Friday, May 7 at 2 p.m.
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 –
