TAMPLA, FL ? The Indiana State Sycamores staged a late rally but fell short in their 2008 season opener Friday night as the University of South Florida Bulls held on for a 4-2 victory.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when USF came up with a single run on two hits. Brian Hobbs hit a one-out double to left and then scored on an RBI single by Chris Rey to put the Bulls in front 1-0.
The Sycamores came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Sean Osborne led off the Indiana State sixth as he was hit by a pitch. Cole Standridge came on to run for Osborne and advanced to second on a Ryan Strausborger sacrifice bunt. Brady Shoemaker came through with a two-out RBI single to score Standridge from second.
The Bulls took the lead for good in the bottom half of the seventh by scoring twice on just one hit and one error. South Florida loaded the bases as Rey led off with a single and advanced as Angelberger reached on a fielder's choice. Both runners advanced on an ISU error and Manz reach after being hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
Rey and Angelberger both scored unearned runs but the Sycamores were able to get out of the inning with any more damage, trailing 3-1.
South Florida built a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth on a Maruszak lead-off home run.
The Sycamores rallied in the top of the ninth as Shoemaker led off with a double to center. Chris Schmidt singled up the middle to score Shoemaker but the Indiana State rally ended after that.
Michael Manus started on the mound for the Sycamores and went five and a third innings, giving up a run on five hits while striking out three and walking one. Clay Kovac went one inning and picked up the loss, giving up two runs on one hit while striking out two. Josh Varno finished for Indiana State, giving up a run on one hit while striking out one.
Chris Schmidt led the Indiana State offense, getting three singles in four trips to the plate. Brady Shoemaker had a double and a single in four trips.
Ad Maruszak paced the Bulls with a home run and two singles in four trips to the plate. Petrzyk picked up the win in relief while Sanford earned the save.
The Sycamores, 0-1, will play South Florida at 7 p.m. Saturday and conclude the three-game set with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday.
