USF returns home for the first time in nearly a month for a four-game series beginning Friday.
MATCHUP: USF vs. Cincinnati (four-game series)
SCHEDULE: Fri., April 30 at 3 p.m. (DH), Sat., May 1 at 4 p.m., Sun., May 2 at 11 a.m.
TAMPA (April 29, 2021) – The USF Bulls (15-19, 5-7 AAC) return home for the first time since April 1-3 to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats (19-18, 8-8 AAC) in a four-game weekend series. The series begins with a doubleheader on Friday, April 30 at 3 p.m. and concludes on Sunday at 11 a.m.
USF will hold its annual Cut for the Cure Game on Sunday, celebrating their season-long fundraising efforts for Vs. Cancer with players and staff members shaving their heads on the field after the conclusion of the ballgame.
Head coach Billy Mohl, now the co-chair of Vs. Cancer, has been involved with the organization since 2014 and has helped the Bulls raise over $10,000 every season. This year, the Bulls have already raised over $16,000. Those interested in donating can click here.
USF has announced Dylan Burns (Vero Beach) as the game one starter, with the rest of the series rotation yet to be determined. Burns is 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA (12 ER/27.1 IP) and 21 strikeouts in five outings since joining the starting rotation in late March.
Carmine Lane (Lake Placid) continues to pace the USF offense with a .315 batting average, and Roberto Peña (Caracas, Venezuela) leads the Bulls in homers (8) and RBI (28). Riley Hogan has been on a tear at the plate and was named to the AAC Honor Roll two weeks ago, marking the second time this season.
Hogan has reached base safely in 26 straight games entering the weekend and is batting .395 with five extra-base hits, four walks and eight RBI over his last 10 games.
Scouting Cincinnati
The Bearcats have won two straight American series, most recently against Wichita State. Prior to the start of AAC play, Cincinnati notched a notable 13-12 (10 inn.) win at homer against then-No. 5 Louisville.
The Bearcats play clean defense and sport a balanced offensive, with six starters batting above .275, showcasing speed and power. Cincy ranks 41st nationally in fielding percentage (.976) and has turned 39 double plays – the second-most in the country. Offensively, the Bearcats rank 34th in total hits (361), 16th in homers (50), and 20th in stolen bases. (59). Paul Komistek ranks 21st nationally in batting average (.402) and is 30th in OBP (.500). Jace Mercer’s 15 stolen bases rank 38th in the country.
The Bearcats have announced the following rotation for the series: LHP Garrett Schoenle (4-1, 4.03 ERA), RHP Zach Segal (3-3, 4.97), RHP Beau Keathley (1-1, 5.12) and RHP Jalen Wade (2-0, 10.18).
Up Next
Following this series, the Bulls head back on the road for a four-game series at Memphis on May 7-9.
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 –
