TAMPA, Fla. – Despite falling behind 6-0 after five innings, the Saint Joseph's baseball team rallied for an 8-7 win over South Florida in Sunday's series finale at the USF Baseball Stadium. Brian Lau finished with three hits and a save on the afternoon, while John Brue hit his third home run of the season.
South Florida (6-5) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a bases-loaded double by Chris Chatfield. The Bulls doubled their advantage in the fifth on a two-run home run by Levi Borders and a wild pitch.
Saint Joseph's (4-3) clawed back into the game in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs to cut the deficit in half. Deon Stafford, Jr., led off the frame with a walk before Brue followed with a first-pitch home run, his third longball of the season, to make it a 6-2 game. Three batters later, Marc Giacalone drew a walk to bring Lau to the plate; Lau singled to center and got caught in a rundown that allowed Giacalone to score the third run of the inning.
The Hawk offense broke out in the seventh, pushing five runs across to take the lead. Taylor Boyd led off with a double before Peter Sitaras walked and Cal Jadacki laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third with one out. Stafford drew a walk to load the bases for Brue, who drew a walk of his own to bring home Boyd.
Two batters later, after a pitching change, Charlie Concannon tied the game with a two-run single to center. Giacalone then reached on an error that scored Brue with the go-ahead run and left runners on the corners. Lau followed with a single to score Concannon and push the lead to 8-6.
The Bulls pegged one back in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Kevin Merrell, but Lau came on and worked around a two-out single to secure the victory for his third save of the season.
Justin Aungst earned the win, improving to 2-0 on the season after allowing a run on one hit while fanning five in three and two-thirds innings of relief. Garrett Bye took the loss after being charged with four runs in just a third of an inning. He allowed just one hit, but walked three of the five batters he faced.
Neither starter figured into the decision; Tim Brennan allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six in four innings for SJU, while Joe Cavallaro struck out 10 and allowed three runs on three hits in six innings for USF.
The Hawks continue their trek through the Sunshine State on Tuesday night when they take on Florida Atlantic. First pitch in Boca Raton is set for 6:30 p.m.
