Returning Pitchers Anchoring USF Rotation

The USF Bulls are off to a 17-8 (3-0) start on the year and it has been the strength of the rotation and the return of three pitchers that missed all of last year due to injury that are leading the way.  Ray Delphey, Andrew Barbosa, and Derrick Stultz are throwing well right now and fueling the Bulls as they look to return to the Big East tournament at the end of the year. 

Andrew Barbosa, the 6-8 235-pound senior missed all of 2011 with Tommy John surgery.  Barbosa is 3-2 on the year while working 27 innings, allowing 12 hits, walking to, and has struck out 35 batters, regaining his old dominance.  At the start of the year, he was limited as he was returning from the surgery, building up his pitch count, but now he is ready to go and continues to blow people away with his strong arm and has some scouts taking notice at the games. 

The other pitcher in the rotation is 6-3 190-pound senior Derrick Stulz who returned after missing lat year with shoulder issues.  He has returned strong to anchor the rotation, notching a record of 3-2 on the year with a 3.30 ERA.  He has worked 30 innings, allowing 18 hits, 11 walks, and has struck out 34 batters holding opponents to a .168 batting average.  Stultz is throwing hard and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Out of the bullpen, sophomore Ray Delphey (5-10 200-pounds) returns after his own shoulder issues and has been automatic shutting down opponents.  He has appeared in 9 games, working 11 innings, allowing 5 hits, 5 walks, and has struck out 12 batters, earning 2 saves, holding opponents to a .132 batting average and has a 0.00 ERA.  Delphey is serving as the closer and late inning situation pitcher, coming in for key situations and so far, has not folded under pressure. 

The Bulls needed their veteran pitchers to all return strong from injury and so far, so good.  There are a lot f games to go, but they are holding up well to the pressure.  They will have to continue to lead the team and set the tone in the league games to help the Bulls continue to notch big wins.