Jackson Mayo hit a go-ahead homer in the 9th inning at Bethune-Cookman in a 6-5 win Tuesday night.
DAYTONA BEACH (March 26, 2024) – The University of South Florida Bulls (15-10) opened a five-game road swing on Tuesday night with a 6-5 victory over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (12-11) at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Jackson Mayo’s (St. Johns) solo home run in the top of the ninth inning stood as the difference as South Florida won its third straight game.
Marcus Brodil (Dunedin) also homered on Tuesday night in the second inning as the Bulls took an early 3-0 lead in the ballgame. USF extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth inning and maintained a 5-1 lead after the top of the sixth. Brodil and Mayo each drove in runs as the duo combined for five RBI on the night.
The Wildcats tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning as a USF error led to three unearned runs in the frame.
Mayo’s blast in the top of the ninth set the stage for Chandler Dorsey (Lakeland) to nail down his fifth save of the season as the right-hander struck out the final batter of the game after the Wildcats had loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth.
Dominick Madonna (Lady Lake) made the start Tuesday night and turned in his best outing since joining the Bulls. The senior allowed one run on five hits and struck out six over 5.0 IP. Lawson Gailey (Lavonia, Ga.) earned the win in relief. Gailey (2-0), who was sidelined last week with an injury, returned to blank the Wildcats over 2.1 IP while allowing just one hit with four strikeouts.
Notable
- The Bulls matched a season high with seven stolen bases – three by Ben Rozenblum (Coral Springs). Rozenblum has a team and career-best 15 stolen bases as USF has totaled 56 steals this season.
- Rozenblum, Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) and Stewart Puckett (DeLeon Springs) each recorded two hits for the Bulls.
- Puckett has reached base safely in 12 straight games since being inserted into the starting lineup.
- Joaquin Monque (Weston) went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks to extend his hitting streak to six games.
- The Bulls committed a season-high four errors on Tuesday.
Up Next
The Bulls resume conference play on the road with a three-game series at Charlotte set to begin on Thursday, March 28 at 6 p.m.
Double Play Passes, which include one ticket to every home baseball and softball game, can be purchased now for $99. Group and single game tickets are also on sale and can be purchased here or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
About USF Baseball
The USF Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and is entering its 59th season in 2024 under head coach Billy Mohl (seventh season). 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 19 have earned Freshman All-America accolades, most recently Eric Snow in 2023. Four Bulls were selected in the 2022 MLB Draft. Former 2018 first-round selection, Shane McClanahan, became the program’s first-ever MLB All-Star in 2022 and was the starting pitcher for the American League.
– #GoBulls –
