Collin Sullivan struck out nine and allowed just three hits over 8.2 IP in the nightcap.
TAMPA (April 2, 2021) – The USF Bulls (12-13, 2-1 AAC) used the longball, played a little small ball, and got a pair of strong starting pitching performances on Friday to complete a doubleheader sweep of the UCF Knights (11-16, 1-2 AAC). The Bulls won the opener, 6-2, and prevailed in the nightcap, 3-1.
Redshirt seniors Dylan Burns (Vero Beach) and Collin Sullivan (Randolph, Mass.) were the winning pitchers for USF in their respective starts, each allowing just three hits. Burns (2-3) struck out eight over 6.0 IP and Sullivan (1-0) struck out nine over 8.2 IP while allowing just one unearned run.
Game 1
It was a rough first inning for Burns, who hit a batter, walked two and allowed two singles, and saw the Knights take an early 2-0 lead.
The Bulls answered back quickly though and cut their deficit in half on a two-out solo homer by Carmine Lane (Lake Placid).
Burns would only allow one more hit over the remainder of his outing, keeping UCF at bay while giving his offense a chance to make a comeback. The right-hander retired 12 of the next 14 batters he faced from the second through fifth innings, including six strikeouts.
Roberto Peña (Caracas, Venezuela) was next to trot around the bases for the Bulls in the top of the fourth frame with a three-run big fly to give USF a 4-2 lead. A one-out double by Matt Ruiz (Hialeah) in the seventh inning sparked a USF rally which saw the home team add on a pair of unearned insurance runs.
Game 2
The Bulls got on the board first in the nightcap on an RBI-groundout by Nick Gonzalez (Tampa). Daniel Cantu (Jacksonville) walked to lead off the second inning, advanced to second two batters later, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored the first run of the tilt.
In the fourth frame, Riley Hogan (Orlando) and Gonzalez were each hit by a pitch to start the inning. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Nelson Rivera (Toa Alto, Puerto Rico) and Hogan scored on an infield single by Jarrett Eaton (Mobile, Ala.). Gonzalez later scored on a safety squeeze by Ruiz.
Those three runs were plenty of support for Sullivan who appeared to be getting stronger as the game progressed. The right-hander’s lone blemish came in the third inning when a throwing error by Sullivan vanquished a sure double play on a comebacker to the mound. That run eventually came around to score in the inning.
After that miscue, Sullivan was lights out. He faced the minimum from the fourth through eighth innings while striking out six batters in those frames. Looking to close his masterpiece with a complete game effort, Sullivan struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth, but then surrendered a single, a wild pitch and a walk to end his outing.
Logan Lyle (Bartow) entered the game, and after a stolen base, suddenly had the tying runs in scoring position. The senior lefty took care of business though, picking up his veteran teammate and recording the final out of the ballgame.
Notable
- Baron Stuart (Okeechobee) recorded his first save of the season in game one, tossing three shutout innings in relief of Burns.
- Burns and Sullivan have each recorded quality starts in two of their last three outings.
- Hogan went 3-for-4 in game two and extended his streak of reaching base safely to 17 consecutive games.
Up Next
The Bulls and Knights conclude round one of the 2021 War On I-4 on Saturday with USF seeking a series win. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at USF Baseball Stadium in Tampa.
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 –
