| Daniel Cantu homered and drove in three runs in the 16-6 loss. TAMPA (March 26, 2021) – The USF Bulls (9-10) dropped the opening game of a three-game series at No. 6 Texas Tech (17-4) on Friday night, 16-6. The Bulls managed to blank the Red Raiders in five frames, but were plagued by nine extra-base hits, leading to all 16 runs by the home teams as Texas Tech hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in three different innings. The Red Raiders hit their first of four home runs on the night in the second inning to take an early 2-0 advantage. USF answered back with a run in the top of the fourth, making it a one-run game until Texas Tech plated nine runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Roberto Peña (Caracas, Venezuela) singled to lead off the fourth frame, and would later advance and score on a pair of wild pitches and an error by the Red Raiders. Texas Tech chased USF starter Jack Jasiak (Spring Hill) from the game in the fifth inning as part of their nine-run rally. Jasiak (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing nine runs on eight hits over 4.2 IP. Despite the 11-1 deficit, the Bulls continued to battle and answered again with three runs in the sixth. Daniel Cantu (Jacksonville) provided a clutch three-run homer with two outs in the inning to cut Texas Tech’s lead to 11-4. The round-tripper was Cantu’s second in the last three games. After the Red Raiders pushed across five more runs in the bottom of the seventh, USF responded again with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth frame. Nick Gonzalez (Tampa), who led the Bulls with three hits in the ballgame, recorded a two-run single to account for the final score. Notable Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) went 2-for-5 in the game, extending his streak to 19 consecutive games of reaching base safely.Pena went 1-for-4 with a walk and has now reached base safely in 12 straight games. Cantu’s three RBI are a new season high. Gonzalez’s three hits match a season high. Jake Sullivan (Tampa) is 6-for-10 over his last four games after recording two hits on Friday. Caleb Pundsack (Groveland) and Alex Lozado (Georgetown, Ind.) each pitched scoreless innings in relief for USF. Up Next The Bulls and Red Raiders will play game two of their series on Saturday at 3 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 – |
