USF Baseball Takes on FAMU

The USF Bulls, 17-8 (3-0) fresh off of their sweep of Georgetown are at home as they welcome FAMU.  The Rattlers are 5-20 on the season including 0-9 away from home on the season as they try to come to Tampa for a mid-week game and will be looking for a big win on the road.  USF needs to notch a strong win here before getting back to Big East play over the weekend (game starts at 5PM). 

FAMU is led by senior outfielder Jarryd Beid (5-11 198-pounds) who is batting .397 with 9 RBIs and has 12 steals on the year (out of 13 attempts).  Junior Aaron Smith (6-1 195-pounds) is batting .381 with 1 home run and has 12 RBIs.  Senior 3B Scott Sheplak (5-11 200-pounds) is batting .329 with 5 RBIs.  Senior catcher/outfielder Daniel Lee (5-7 180-pounds) is batting .328 with 2 triples and 3 RBIs.  The Rattlers do not have a lot of powerful hitters in their lineup, but can get on base and put pressure on opposing pitchers, something the Bulls staff must account for.

The pitching staff of the Rattlers is anchored by freshman RHP Christopher Priestly (6-2 185-pounds) who is 0-2 on the year while working 37.1 innings, allowing 40 hits, 11 walks, and has struck out 22 batters.  Freshman LHP John Roberts (5-11 60-pounds) is 0-2 as well, tossing 34 innings, allowing 44 hits, walking 18 and has struck out 29 batters.  Sophomore RHP Tony Covington (6-0 180-pounds) is 2-1 with 1 save in 13 appearances.  He has pitched 15 innings, allowing 26 hits, walking 10 and striking out 16 batters in relief work.  The pitching staff is not that strong, so USF should be able to rack up some hits in this game.

This is a game the Bulls need to win before they take on Notre Dame over the weekend.  USF has the deeper pitching rotation and if the offense can continue to pile up the hits and runs, they should take care of this game and get ready for more Big East play.