USF Baseball Faces Savannah State for Three-Game Series

USF baseball returns home to take on Savannah State over the weekend (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

After playing the Yankees in the exhibition game the day before, USF (4-4), returns home to open a 3-game series against Savannah State (3-5). Savannah State has lost its last two games in a row while USF has lost 4 out its last 5 after the quick 3-0 start to begin the year. The first game is slated to start at 3PM for the Saturday double header, the Bulls will play a single game starting at noon on Sunday (game schedule changed midweek).

The Bulls managed just one run in the last game at UCF, so they will need to step up their offense in this series as they begin a long home stand (they do not play a road game until April, so this is a great chance to start racking up the wins).

Savannah State is led by junior outfielder Antonio Scott (5-8 155-pounds) who is batting .350 with 1 double and 3 RBIs to start the season (also 3 for 3 in steals). Junior 2nd baseman Darien Campbell (5-8 160-pounds) is batting .348 with 2 RBIs. Junior outfielder Joseph McCrary (6-1 175-pounds) is batting .280 with 4 RBIs (not a lot of big time home run hitters in their batting order, but solid contact hitters). Junior utility player Kevin Herlihy (6-3 165-pounds) is batting .267 with 1 RBI (also a relief pitcher). Junior middle infielder Ian Farris (5-8 165-pounds) is batting .267 with 2 RBIs.

On the mound, Herlihy is one of the more reliable arms the Bulls will face. He has worked 14 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and has struck out 15 batters and earned a 2-0 record. Junior RHP Jackson May has worked 9.1 innings so far, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, walked 2 and has struck out 6 batters. Senior Matthew Oglesby (5-10 170-pounds) has worked 4.2 innings, allowing 3 hits, walked 3, and has struck out 3 in limited action.

The Bulls should win this series (possible sweep). The pitching has been solid so far, but they will need the offense to find it's groove in order to take these games. This is a prime opportunity for USF to win some games with a favorable home schedule and they should get started tonight.