It would be hard not to notice that Casey Hudspeth’s 2004 season was arguably the best by a USF pitcher in the last decade.

It looks like someone was watching after all.

Monday, Hudspeth was named to the Freshman All-American team, one of only two right-handers from the Sunshine State.

The Sarasotan led the Bulls in three pitching categories on his way to becoming a Conference USA All-American.

Hudspeth struck out 74 batter en route to his eight wins — the first hurler since ’94 to reach the eight-win plateau — starring for the Bulls in a season that included a victory against College World Series favorites Miami, who he held scoreless for his 7 2/3 innings of work on March 16.

Hudspeth was not eligible for the Major League draft (once players enter college they must wait until their junior year to regain eligibility ), meaning he’ll be leading the Bulls at the mound when they hit the diamond in 2005.

McBee makes it a trio of Bulls to leave Leavitt

Tuesday, The Tampa Tribune reported that left guard Chris McBee left the Bulls football squad. McBee, a sophomore at USF, was a backup for the Bulls, playing mostly off of the bench in his two seasons with the program.

With the problems the frontline had protecting the quarterback last season, McBee may have been useful in the 2005 campaign. This news means that the number of players to quit the squad since the conclusion of spring practice is now up to three.

Kenny Robinson, a projected starter in the defensive-backfield, quit due to personal reasons, followed soon after by once highly-touted quarterback Evan Kraky, who requested a release last week.

Former USF striker making waves in MLS … again

After a quiet start, former USF soccer star Jeff Cunningham has Bull-rushed his way to the top of the MLS scoring leader board.

With five goals in four games for the Columbus Crew, the former Bull striker nabbed MLS Player of the Week honors and positioned himself in a tie for second place in MLS individual scoring.

Cunningham sealed the honor on Saturday in a game against second-place Kansas City, scoring both goals to tie the Wizards 2-2. The win moved the Crew within one point of first place in the MLS East division.

Record-setting Bull on a roll in pro softball

Former Bulll All-American Leigh Ann Ellis has made an immediate impact with her new pro softball squad, the New England Riptide, on the heels of recently signing her first professional softball contract.

Since signing with the New England Riptide of the National Professional Fastpitch league on the heels of leading the Bulls to their best season ever, Ellis has completed all five of her starts, striking out 27 in 32 innings pitched.

Although her record is 2-3, Ellis’ win Sunday marked her second consecutive shutout and dropped her ERA to 0.19.

Compiled by Nick Margiasso