Jack Jasiak posted his 15th career quality start for South Florida.
TAMPA (February 18, 2022) – In a battle of NCAA postseason teams from last season with aspirations for the same in 2022, the University of South Florida (0-1) and UConn (1-0) squared off on opening day with the Huskies prevailing in 10 innings, 5-4.
One of the Bulls’ biggest postseason heroes in 2021, Jarrett Eaton (Mobile, Ala.), went 2-for-4 with two RBI on Friday night at USF Baseball Stadium, including a go-ahead two-run double with two outs in the sixth.
Eaton batted .368 with six doubles and nine RBI over 11 postseason games for South Florida a year ago.
Eaton’s clutch hit in the opener was washed away in the top of the seventh inning when the Huskies answered back quickly with a pair of runs to tie the game, 4-4, and eventually outlast the Bulls in extra frames.
Jack Jasiak (Spring Hill, Fla.) allowed two runs on six hits over 6.0 IP with four strikeouts in his starting effort. The right-hander tallied his 15th quality start in 21st career start for USF.
UConn starter Austin Peterson struck out 13 Bulls over 5.2 IP.
Notable
- Daniel Cantu (Jacksonville) homered for the Bulls in the second inning.
- Ben Rozenblum (Coral Springs) went 2-for-5 in his South Florida debut.
- Orion Kerkering (Venice) matched a career high with nine strikeouts in his relief effort (4.0 IP).
Up Next
The Bulls continue opening weekend in the USF Invitational by hosting Louisville on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
For tickets, please visit usfbullstix.com or call 1-800-Go-Bulls.
About USF Baseball
The USF Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and is entering its 57th season in 2022. Head coach Billy Mohl is entering his fifth season at the helm. The Bulls have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including four since 2015, and earned their first-ever Super Regional berth in 2021. USF was ranked in the Top 25 by five different publications in the final 2021 polls, checking in as high as No. 16. The Bulls have won five conference tournament titles (3 Sun Belt, 1 Metro and 1 American) and six regular season championships (3 Sun Belt, 2 Metro and 1 C-USA). USF baseball players have been recognized with All-America honors 12 times, most recently with third baseman David Villar in 2018, and 18 have earned Freshman All-America accolades, most recently Drew Brutcher and Carmine Lane in 2021. Four players were selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, including the program’s fourth first-round selection in pitcher Shane McClanahan, who made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series and was the Rays’ postseason game one starter in 2021.
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