TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida avoided a series sweep on Sunday afternoon, exploding for nine runs in the final two frames to take down Florida Atlantic University 11-6 at Red McEwen Field.
While the contest started as a quiet pitcher’s duel, the bats came alive late for the Bulls (29-18, 8-13 American). FAU held a narrow 3-2 lead heading into the seventh inning stretch, but USF completely flipped the script by scoring 16 total runs in the final third of the game throughout the weekend series.
On Sunday, that late-inning surge included a four-run seventh and a five-run eighth to pull away from the Owls (24-23, 10-11 American).
Nathan Earley was the offensive spark plug for South Florida, turning in a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate while scoring twice. He was flanked by Jack Lutz, who drove in three runs on two hits, and Ryan Pruitt, who also tallied a multi-hit game.
Read: Bulls Back In Tampa: USF Looks To Snap Skid Against Owls
Jevin Relaford played the role of speedster, swiping two bases on consecutive pitches to bring his season total to 28. That mark moves him into ninth place all-time in the program’s single-season record books.
Power hitting also made an appearance in the eighth when Jacob Green laced his fourth triple of the year, driving in two runs. Green is now just one triple shy of becoming the first Bulls player to record five in a single season since 2004.
On the mound, Dominic Pontbriant provided 4.1 innings of work before the bullpen took over. Landen Yorek provided two innings of relief before handing the ball to Nolan Bernard. Bernard earned the victory to move to 3-1 on the season, and Edwin Alicea closed out the ninth to seal the win.
The victory ensures that South Florida maintains its streak of never being swept by FAU. The Bulls now look toward their final road trip of the regular season, a three-game stint in New Orleans against Tulane.+
Both teams currently sit at 8-10 in conference play, making the series a pivotal matchup for postseason seeding. The first pitch at Tulane is scheduled for Friday, May 8th, at 7:30 p.m. EST.
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