USF Baseball Takes on UCONN for Pivotal Series

After their Wednesday game against UNF was delayed until next Tuesday night, the Bulls host Big East foe UCONN for the weekend.  USF is 30-18 (13-8) on the year and looking to close out the remainder of the regular season with some strong, confidence boosting wins before heading into the Big East tournament.

UCONN is 27-21 (14-7) on the year, but are 13-11 on the road this year (first game tonight begins at 7PM, the Saturday game begins at 6PM, the series concludes Sunday at 1PM).

UCONN is led by junior outfielder Billy Ferriter (6-2 200-pounds) who is batting .363 this season with 1 home run, 29 RBIs, and has 22 steals (leads the team).  Junior infielder L.J. Mazzilli (6-1 190-pounds) is batting .323 with 17 doubles, 9 home runs, and has 35 RBIs on the year (big time power threat in their batting order).  Senior outfielder Ryan Fuller (6-1 205-pounds) is batting .330 with 15 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, and has 33 RBIs. Senior outfielder Tim Martin (6-0 180-pounds) is batting .324 with 3 home runs and has 22 RBIs.  Sophomore infielder Tom Verdi (6-1 170-pounds) is batting .291 with 3 home runs and has 32 RBIs to round out the batting order.  The Huskies batting order has several hitters all batting over .300 and each one of them has big RBI numbers, showing anyone can drive in runs.  The pitching staff, anchored by Barbosa and Stultz (Lovecchio has been a little shaky as of late) will have to attack the strike zone and keep their opportunities limited.

The UCONN pitching staff is led by junior RHP Scott Oberg (6-2 200-pounds) who is 5-0 on the year (1.20 ERA) and has 6 saves.  He has worked 30 innings, allowing 16 hits, 12 walks, and has struck out 32 batters.  Sophomore LHP Brian Ward (6-3 185-pounds) who is 3-3 (5.32 ERA) while working 47.1 innings, allowing 47 hits, 22 walks, and has struck out 35 batters thus far.  Junior RHP Will Jolin (6-2 205-pounds) is 1-0 with 1 save while working 23.2 innings allowing 28 hits, 2 walks, and has struck out 14 batters.  Senior RHP David Fischer (3-5 (4.06 ERA) has worked 57.2 innings, allowing 57 hits, 24 walks, and has struck out 50 batters.  The Huskies have a very solid pitching staff.  They tend to give up a few hits, but are able to work their way out of trouble (low walk totals as well).  The USF hitters, led by Ramsay, Brazeal, and Mendez, have to get the games started fast by getting on base and pressuring the Huskies pitchers.

This will be a very pivotal series for the Bulls.  They have dropped their last 3 series in conference play and as they prepare for the Big East tournament, they would like to get a few more wins and build momentum before they head to Clearwater. Protecting homefield for the seniors, who will play their last 3 regular season games in Tampa, will be key in the series as the team looks to take at least 2 out of 3.