USF Baseball Wins Season Opener Over Ohio State 5 to 3

Todd Brazeal went 4 for 4 as the Bulls beat Ohio State to open the season (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

The USF Bulls got off to a solid start to the 2012 season as they hung on to beat Ohio State 5 to 3 in the opening round of the Big East/Big Ten Challenge (1-0).  The Bulls had a 4 run advantage, but the Buckeyes were able to come back before the Bulls bullpen shut the door on them.

Kyle Parker got the start and was on cruise control until the 4th inning.  He went 3.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 1 batter.  Nick Gonzalez took over in the 4th and went 3.2 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 4 as he notches the first win of the season.  Adam Puig relieved him for two batters (one strike out).  Ray Delphey, who hasn't pitched since 2010, worked the 9th, allowing one hit, one walk, but struck out two.

The offense had a productive day as well.  Alex Mendez went 1 for 3 with a walk, a strike out, and drove in one run.  Daniel Rockhold was 1 for 5 with an RBI.  Todd Brazeal, coming off of ACL surgery in the offseason went an impressive 4 for 4 with a double and a walk to open the season.  Matt Hart went 2 for 4 with an RBI as well.

It was a solid game for the Bulls who faced some big time challenges from the Buckeyes, but were able to get the key hits and got great bullpen relief.  The Bulls will take on Michigan State tomorrow at 1PM in Clearwater before finishing the opening tournament with a game against Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.