TicketsApril 2, 2010
CINCINNATI - USF junior Andrew Barbosa gave up three hits and struck out a career-high 16 batters leading the USF Bulls to a 5-0 win over the University of Cincinnati baseball team Friday night at Marge Schott Stadium.
The loss dropped the Bearcats to 13-11 overall and 2-3 in the BIG EAST Conference, while the Bulls improved to 12-15 overall and 4-1 in the conference.
USF struck quickly in the top of the first inning courtesy of a two-out, solo home run off the bat of Stephen Hunt, placing the Bulls in front, 1-0.
Following a scoreless second inning, USF kept swinging the bats aggressively and recorded three fielder's choices and three singles leading to two more runs in the third inning to widen its lead to 3-0.
Junior Dan Jensen settled down after the third inning and retired the Bulls in order in four of the next five innings, but a two-run home run by Daniel Rockhold in the top of the ninth pushed the Bulls lead to 5-0 and ended the night for Jensen. The Centerville, Ohio native went a career-high 8.2 innings, gave up seven hits, walked two, and struck out five in the loss.
In the ninth, Barbosa remained strong and forced a pop out and two fly outs to close out the complete-game, three-hitter. On the night, Barbosa struck out at least two hitters in seven of the nine innings.
Juniors Chris Peters and Nick Rohlfs, and sophomore Kendal Coleman each recorded hits for UC.
The Bearcats and Bulls play the rubber match of their three-game series on Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m. at Marge Schott Stadium.