In his first start of the year, Dylan Burns threw seven shutout innings.
TAMPA (March 20, 2021) – The USF Bulls (8-8) returned to the win column Saturday night with a 4-0 victory over Florida Atlantic (10-7) thanks to a stellar starting pitching performance by redshirt senior Dylan Burns (Vero Beach).
Burns and Baron Stuart (Okeechobee) combined on a two-hit shutout against the Owls. Carmine Lane (Lake Placid) launched a first inning home run which proved to be plenty of offense in the ballgame for USF.
In his first start of the season, Burns (1-2) allowed just two hits and walked two batters while striking out six over 7.0 IP. The right-hander retired the first 11 batters he faced on the night before issuing a walk in the fourth inning. FAU broke up Burns’ no-hit bid with a leadoff double in the fifth, but the veteran pitcher navigated the frame without allowing a run.
Lane gave Burns all the offensive cushion he would need in the bottom of the first, launching a two-out two-run homer into left field for his second longball of the season.
With Burns cruising on the mound, USF plated two more in the fifth on a fielder’s choice by Matt Ruiz (Hialeah) and a sacrifice fly by Riley Hogan (Orlando).
Stuart took over for Burns in the eighth and sat down all six batters he faced to seal the win.
Notable
- The victory snaps a five-game losing streak for USF.
- The Bulls recorded their first shutout since May 17, 2019 vs. Wichita State.
- Burns logged career highs in strikeouts (6) and innings pitched (7.0).
- Lane tallied his seventh multi-hit game of the season.
- Drew Brutcher (Lakeland) extended his streak of reaching base safely to 16 consecutive games with a walk.
- Jake Sullivan (Tampa) went 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles.
Up Next
With the series tied at one apiece, the Bulls and Owls will conclude their three-game set on Sunday at USF Baseball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 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.
