USF eager to take on BCC after losing Friday

The USF baseball team is looking to exorcise some Wildcats today after a six-run rally in the last inning of play allowed Bethune-Cookman a 10-9 victory Friday.

“I think (for) our team, in their own way, this will be a little motivational for them,” USF coach Eddie Cardieri said.

The Bulls, who will play BCC at 3 p.m., led the Wildcats after the first inning of play Friday, but a six-run ninth inning lifted BCC past USF, something the Bulls hope does not happen again. In order for history not to repeat itself, Cardieri said his team must play a better game of baseball and focus on controlling the infield.

“They are very aggressive on the base paths and we need to control them there,” Cardieri said. “All around we really did not (play a good game of baseball); (Daniel) Albritton was the bright spot.”

Albritton, a freshman, was the cause for four hitless innings, but the Wildcats got to him in the ninth, where he allowed the bases to be loaded before he was replaced.

“(The freshmen pitchers) have been fearless,” Cardieri said.

With the loss of veteran pitching to the draft last season, Cardieri has become dependent on his freshmen to be his pitching force. Cardieri said the young pitchers are in a friendly rivalry of sorts; he said that they always try to match one another in games.

“They feed off each other; it’s pretty fun to watch,” Cardieri said.

History in double vision

USF quietly made history Sunday when twin brothers Jeff and Brian Basiley both hit a home run against Jacksonville.

It may not seem like much at a glance, but twin brothers have never hit home runs in the same game in USF history, Conference USA history or Major League Baseball history.

Research is being done to verify whether or not the feat has been accomplished in college baseball history.

Lirette named pitcher of the week

USF freshman right-hander Chase Lirette was named conference pitcher of the week after nine solid innings against Jacksonville.

During his nine innings on the mound, Lirette allowed only three runs on seven hits. The right-hander struck out 13 batters, but only walked three. His most impressive showing of the week, however, was Sunday when he struck out nine batters in four innings.