FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
TAMPA, Fla. – Combined, it took 33 players, 22 hits and nearly five hours for the University of South Florida to defeat Notre Dame, 3-2, in 16 innings Friday night at Red McEwen Field.
Six Bulls took the mound for USF, collecting 10 strikeouts and throwing 202 pitches. Freshman starter Randy Fontanez tossed 98 pitches in eight innings, then a pair of freshmen – Stephen Hunt and Michael Anzivino – took over for the next 1.2 innings. Senior David Torcise forced a batter to ground out in the 10th, then two more rookies – Zach Pietrzyk and Drew Malley – wrapped up the final six innings of the game.
“Both teams pitched outstanding today, but our USF pitchers did an incredible job, especially our relievers,” said pitching coach Lazer Collazo. “They have been struggling throughout the year, and I think these young guys stepped up their game today, so I’m very happy with them.”
In his third appearance of the year, Malley picked up his first-career win, striking out one, but allowing one hit in the top of the 16th.
“Every game is so big for us,” said head coach Lelo Prado. “Our pitchers can’t do any more than they did.”
Senior Joey Angelberger hit a home run in back-to-back games as he took one out of the park in the third inning Thursday night and hit one over the center field fence in the first inning on Friday. On senior night, Angelberger, who leads the Bulls with nine bombs this season, also had a pair of base hits, drew a walk, stole a base and drove in two of the team’s three runs.
Junior Brian Hobbs also had three hits in the game while classmate Addison Maruszak had a pair of hits, drew two walks, was hit by a pitch and scored the game-winning run when freshman Junior Carlin singled to left field in the 16th.
The Bulls, who are now 5-4 in extra-inning games, tied the school record for the longest game, matching the April 22 outing at Cincinnati. USF won that game, 9-7, the second game of a double header on that day in Ohio.
The four-hour, 34-minute game ties the second longest game of the season, the 10-inning April 22 outing at Florida Atlantic.
Prior to the marathon game, USF recognized the four seniors – Angelberger, Torcise, Charles Cleveland and Eric Baumann – on the team.
Catch USF’s final game of the regular season Sunday at 1 p.m., when the Bulls and Fighting Irish wrap up the three-game BIG EAST series at Red McEwen Field.
