With four doubles at regionals this weekend, senior Chris Cuccia plowed his way into the top five all-time at USF. Cuccia entered the NCAA Tournament with 50 doubles and, aided by a trio in USF’s 14-13 victory against Stetson Saturday, Cuccia tied Daniel Boyd (1998-2001) for fifth with 54. Cuccia was shut out Sunday in his bid to hit his 55th and tie Ross Gload for fourth on the Bulls’ list.

Chart Toppers

Doubles isn’t the only category in which Cuccia has made a dent in the USF record books. The senior first baseman is among the top 10 all-time at USF in seven other categories. Cuccia stands fifth in at-bats and seventh in games played. With 256 hits, Cuccia is seventh in that statistic and sixth in RBI with 169. Cuccia can also be found among the USF leaders in extra-base hits, total bases and strikeouts. Senior Mike Barclay also wrapped up a distinguished career at USF Sunday. Barclay is among the 10 best in USF history in 11 offensive categories. Barclay closed his career by competing in 229 games for USF, trailing only Mike Pilger on the all-time list. Barclay was among the Bulls’ best in at-bats, runs, hits, RBI, doubles, triples, extra-base hits, total bases, strikeouts and hit by pitches.

Trouble in Tallahassee

Upon completing their 11th NCAA Regional appearance, the Bulls have a 10-20 record. However, USF’s biggest problem has been Florida State. In the regular season, USF holds a 15-61 mark against the Seminoles, but its troubles with the ‘Noles run much deeper in regionals. With Sunday’s 13-6 loss, FSU maintained a perfect record vs. the Bulls in regional play. All five losses occurred at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, and four times the loss resulted in the Bulls’ elimination. FSU and USF also met in the regional final in 1986 at Howser Stadium, and the ‘Noles rallied in that game to win 11-7 to continue on to the College World Series.

All Regional Team

P – Bo Hall Junior UCF
P – Ryan Gloger Junior USF
C – Chris Westervelt Sophomore Stetson
1B – Chris Cuccia Senior USF
2B – Mike Macaluso Junior USF
3B – Brian Snyder Sophomore Stetson
SS – Stephen Drew Freshman FSU
OF – Tony McQuade Sophomore FSU
OF – Nick Rogers Senior FSU
OF – Mike Barclay Senior USF
DH – Tony Richie Sophomore FSU
Most Outstanding Player – Tony Richie C FSU

MLB Draft 2002

The 2002 Major League Baseball Draft will be held Tuesday and Wednesday. USF has 17 draft-eligible players, including six seniors who have expired their collegiate eligibility. The MLB First-Year Player Draft includes all eligible college sophomores, junior, seniors and high school seniors. The Bulls had three players selected in the 2001 draft (Mike Eylward, Brendan Fuller and Daniel Boyd).

“You’re sitting here, on paper, next year’s team is looking pretty good,” USF coach Eddie Cardieri said. “But come the end of the week it could be very different. So it’s a time of a lot of anxiety.”

Pittsburgh selects first and Tampa Bay owns the second pick overall.