Bulls scored two runs in the eighth to break a tie and secure the win
TAMPA, FL., FEB. 25, 2025 – University of South Florida baseball (5-3; 0-0 AAC) broke a 4-4 tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth and held on for a 6-5 win over Florida International University (7-2; 0-0 C-USA) at the USF Baseball Stadium.
The Bulls scored early and late in the back-and-forth affair. USF got out to a 2-0 lead in the first, extending it to 4-1 after two. FIU scored a run in the third, fifth and eighth innings to tie the game, which the Bulls broke in the bottom of the eighth.
The Bulls saw another strong performance from starter Bryce Archie who recorded a career-high six strikeouts. Archie went three innings, allowing five hits and two runs, one earned. Adan Longoria recorded his first career win, pitching one inning in relief.
The Bulls opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first. Lance Trippel drew a two-out walk followed by a two-run blast over the right field wall by Sebastian Greico, his team-high third home run of the season.
FIU answered in the top of the second with a double off the top of the wall in right center by Albert Serrano who scored on a single by Alex Ulloa, who stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. The Panthers had runners at the corners with one out. Archie struck out the next two batters to end the threat and hold FIU to one run, holding the Bulls lead at 2-1.
USF extended the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the second. Marcus Brodil got things started with a leadoff single, then stole second. Following a strikeout, Ryan Pruitt doubled to right center, his team-high fourth double of the season, to score Brodil. Pruitt then stole third and scored on a wild pitch.
The Panthers narrowed the lead in the top of the third, scoring a run on a single by Kishon Frett, who advanced to third on a single by Hector Candelas and an error, and scored on a single by Albert Serrano, sending Candelas to third. Archie struck out the last two batters for the second straight inning to strand the runners.
FIU scratched out a run in the top of the fifth to close to 4-3. Matt Goldenbaum walked the leadoff batter, Brylan West who advanced to third on a single by Hector Candelas. Goldenbaum was replaced by Corey Kling, who was greeted by a sacrifice fly to center, scoring West. Kling retired the next batter on a fly ball to center to end the inning.
The Panthers tied the game 4-4 in the top of the eighth, FIU loaded the bases with no outs on back-to-back singles and a walk off reliever Adan Longoria. He retired the next batter on a force out at the plate. A sacrifice fly to center drove in the tying run. A pop out to second to end the inning limited FIU to the lone run.
USF regained the lead 6-4 in their half of the eighth. Lance Trippel led off with a single to left. The next two batters were retired. A two-out single by Carter Murphy advanced Trippel to second and kept the inning alive. Marcus Brodil drove in Trippel with the go-ahead run with a single up the middle. Murphy and Carter advanced on a wild pitch. Matt Rose was walked intentionally. Another wild pitch, with the bases loaded, scored Murphy with an insurance run.
FIU put their first two batters aboard in the top of the ninth off Longoria with a walk and a hit batter. Brandon Keyster came on in relief giving up a sacrifice bunt to the first hitter he faced, which advanced the runners to second and third. A groundout to short allowed a run to score to make it 6-5. Landon Yorek took over for Keyster and got the final out on a grounder to short as the Bulls held on for the win.
Key Stats:
• USF starter Bryce Archie recorded a career-high six strikeouts. For the second straight game, Archie struck out the last batter with runners on base to end the second and third innings. In the first, Archie needed only 10 pitches, seven strikes, to retire the side in order the top half of the first on two groundouts and a strikeout. Archie topped out at 95 on the radar gun.
• Five Bulls took the mound on the day, including Matt Goldenbaum made his collegiate debut and Adan Longoria who recorded his first career win.
• The Bulls scored four of their six runs with two outs.
Notables:
• Sebastian Greico has homered in back-to-back games and leads the team with three. He has had two hits, including a home run, in each of the last two games and leads the team with 9 RBI.
• Ryan Pruitt has reached base in all of the Bulls eight games and leads the team in hits with 10 and doubles with four. He is tied for the lead with four stolen bases.
• Marcus Brodil reached base for the eighth consecutive game. He stole his fourth base, tying him with Pruitt for the team lead.
• Matt Rose reached base for the eighth consecutive game.
Up Next:
The Bulls return to the USF Baseball Stadium on Friday for the latest installment of the War on I-4 as they host UCF in a three-game series. The intrastate rivals will play Fri. Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m., Sat. March 1 at 2:00 p.m. and Sun. March 2 at 1:00 p.m. The games can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on Bulls Unlimited radio.
Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls baseball at the USF Baseball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking HERE.
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About USF Baseball
The South Florida Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and will enter its 60th campaign in 2025. Mitch Hannahs was named South Florida’s eighth head coach in program history on June 8, 2024, after compiling 355 wins over 11 seasons at Indiana State. The 2023 ABCA NCAA DI Midwest Region Coach of the Year guided the Sycamores to six conference titles and five NCAA Regionals. The Bulls have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and earned their first-ever Super Regional berth in 2021. 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 and 19 Bulls have earned Freshman All-America accolades. USF has had 131 MLB Draft Picks. Former 2018 first-round draft pick, Shane McClanahan, is a two-time MLB All-Star.
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