Julio Cortez doubled and drove in a run in a pair of pinch-hit opportunities.
ORLANDO (April 16, 2021) – Following a two-week layoff, the USF Bulls (12-16, 2-4 AAC) returned to the diamond on Friday, but showed some signs of offensive rust while being swept in a doubleheader by the UCF Knights (16-18, 6-4 AAC). UCF claimed the opening game, 6-0, and took the nightcap by a score of 5-2.
The Bulls combined for 10 hits over two games on Friday while suffering just their third shutout of the year in the opener.
Game 1
Jack Jasiak (Spring Hill) kept the Bulls in the ballgame, recording his sixth quality start of the season, but was ultimately charged with the loss. Jasiak (2-5) allowed three runs on seven hits over 6.0 IP with two walks and five strikeouts.
UCF played longball in the opener, connecting on three home runs, two of which came in the fourth inning against Jasiak. The Knights tacked on one more run against the USF starter in the fifth frame before putting the game out of reach with a three-run homer in the eighth inning.
Jake Sullivan (Tampa) went 2-for-4 in the setback, recording half of the Bulls’ four hits.
Game 2
USF finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning of the nightcap, but the Bulls were already facing an uphill battle from there, trailing 4-0 after three innings.
Collin Sullivan (Randolph, Mass.) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing four runs on 10 hits over 5.0 IP. Sullivan (1-1) walked one and struck out four batters in his starting effort.
Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, Roberto Peña (Caracas, Venezuela) led off the frame with a single and J. Sullivan was hit by a pitch as the Bulls looked to put together a potential rally. Two batters later, Julio Cortez (Weston) drove in Peña to make it a 4-2 affair, but the Knights ended the inning without further damage.
UCF added an insurance run in the eighth inning to account for the final score.
Riley Hogan (Orlando) went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the loss.
Notable
- Hogan has reached base safely in 20 consecutive games, setting a new team high this year.
- Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) returned to the lineup after missing the last two games, and recorded a hit and a walk over the doubleheader.
- Jasiak is 0-5 over his last five starts, despite posting three quality starts in that span.
- Tanner Mink (Palm Harbor) struck out three and allowed just one baserunner over 1.2 IP in his game two relief appearance.
Up Next
The Bulls and Knights continue their current four-game series and the War On I-4 on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Orlando.
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 –
