Orion Kerkering struck out a career-high eight in his relief appearance.
TAMPA (March 13, 2021) – The USF Bulls (7-5) battled all night long against Florida Gulf Coast University (9-4), but came up just short in a 6-5 setback on Saturday night. The Bulls erased an early 2-0 deficit, rallied from down 5-3, and put the tying run at third base in the ninth inning before the Eagles finally closed the door.
USF was facing an uphill battle from the opening inning after FGCU plated a pair of runs in the top of the first. Carmine Lane (Lake Placid) and Roberto Pena (Caracas, Venezuela) each tallied RBI-singles in the bottom of the frame to knot the score, only to see the Eagles jump back in front with a 5-2 advantage in the top of the second inning.
An RBI-double by Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) cut into the FGCU lead in the bottom of the second as the USF bullpen went to work and put forth a stellar effort to keep the Eagles at bay.
Dylan Burns (Vero Beach) and Orion Kerkering (Venice) combined for 7.2 IP out of the bullpen and struck out 14 batters.
Pena jump-started a rally in the fifth for USF with a two-out triple. Nick Gonzalez (Tampa) followed with a walk, and both runners scored on a triple by Daniel Cantu (Jacksonville) as the Bulls once again tied the ballgame at 5-5.
FGCU was quick to answer yet again though, and pushed across what proved to be the tying run in the top of the sixth. That go-ahead run was originally ruled out on a great throw by Lane from left field, but the call was overturned.
Notable
- Burns has struck out 19 batters over 17.0 IP in his last three relief appearances.
- Kerkering struck out a career-high eight batters. The redshirt freshman has 16 punchouts over 10.0 IP over his last four appearances without allowing a run.
- USF’s pitching staff recorded a season-high 17 strikeouts in the game.
- Brutcher has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games to begin the season.
- Gonzalez reached base four times, going 2-for-2 with two walks, and is batting .375 over his last five games.
- All five USF losses this year have been to FGCU.
Up Next
The Bulls will look to salvage the series finale on Sunday in Fort Myers. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. USF will then play four games at home next week beginning with a single game against Stetson on Tuesday, March 16, followed by a three-game series with No. 20 FAU starting on Friday, March 19.
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 –
