Top 11 Moments from 2011: Number 1

#1 - The Win over Notre Dame

Was there really any question on what the top moment from 2011 was?  The win over Notre Dame was history in the making.  The Bulls, a team that the national media had really no idea where they were located, was on the road facing one of the most historic programs in all of college baseball.

Coach Holtz had to deal with the lasting legacy of his father, Lou Holtz, at Notre Dame (the man has a statue outside the stadium!) among other stories that followed the game.  The team was on national television and faced a strong ND team that was ready to defend their home turf, but that's when the game got even weirder.

Jerrell Young's strip for the ND return has a huge play and was a strange moment on the opening drive of the game, but the strangest part of the game came when the weather turned for the worst and forced the game to be delayed for hours due to lightning.  Those at the game were forced into the tunnels of the stadium to wait out the weather while both teams had to sit before getting back to action. 

We have all watched a lot of football in our lifetimes, but I don't recall a game like this one.  From the bizarre plays that swung momentum to the epic rain delay that lasted into the night, it was one for the ages.

The team was able to wait out the storm, withstood a strong rally by Notre Dame late in the game, to come away with probably the biggest win in the program's short history.

USF baseball falls 3 to 7 in Big East tournament championship

What a run the team had.  The USF Bulls (38-22) made their way out of the 1st loss bracket to make it to the championship game, beating UCONN twice yesterday, but just didn't have enough today as they fell 3 to 7.  

Andrew Barbosa went 5 innings for the Bulls, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and struck out 3 batters.  The bullpen however was not able to keep the lead late.  Andrew Loynaz came in after him and got just out out after walking 1 batters and hitting two others that got SJU back into the game.  Adrian Puig came in after him and working 1.1 innings, allowing 1 hit, 2 runs, and 1 walk.  Janick Serrallonga worked 1 inning, allowing 2 hits 1 run and struck out 1 batter. 

The offense had a tough time late in the game to get anything going.  Alex Mendez went 1 for 4 with a run scored.  Andrew Longley went 1 for 2 with a run scored.  James Ramsay was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.  Luis Llerena went 1 for 4 with a run scored.  Todd Brazeal went 1 for 3 with a run scored as well. 

The Bulls have an RPI of 64 (per GA) before the game started, so there on the bubble of making the NCAA tournament at this stage.  The selection show is tomorrow so the team will have to wait to see if they can continue playing this season.  Once again, tip of the cap to the USF baseball team on a great season and a great tournament run. 

Rush through the Roster: #99 Tevin Mims

Time to begin looking at each player on the 2012 roster as we wait for the the season to begin.  We start at #99, defensive end Tevin Mims.

#99 - Tevin Mims - DE - 6-3 250-pounds - Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point High School) (Navarro JC)

2011 stats: Mims is an early enrollee (part of the 2012 recruiting class) out of Navarro JC.  The one time 4-star prospect was originally a Texas Longhorn coming out of high school, but went to the JC level after just one year.  Last season at Navarro, he totaled 19 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and broke up 3 passes. 

Position on depth chart: Coming out of the spring practices, Mims is right behind Ryne Giddins on the depth chart.  With Anthony Hill out for the year, there will be even more opportunity for Mims to get playing time this season.

2012 Projection: Mims is a key reserve this season and will get plenty of chances to play.  Look for him to play a similar role to Claude Davis last year.  He can be a key reserve and a situational blitzer due to his great speed and burst off the edge.  The Bulls will need him to step up due to the lack of depth at the end position.

USF baseball sweeps UCONN to advance to Big East tournament title

How sweep it is.  The Bulls, needing to sweep UCONN today to advance to the Big East title got unreal pitching as they advance to play on Sunday for the Big East title.

In the first game of the double header too the match 1 to 0; USF got a tremendous start from Derrick Stultz.  The senior went the distance, working all 9 innings, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 4 batters and walking 2.  The Bulls only had two hits in the game, both from Jimmy Fall who was 2 for 3 with a solo home run that proved to be the game winning shot back in the 3rd inning.  The game ended on a tremendous play by Mendez racing to catch a fly ball (USF improved to 36-24 on the season at that stage).

The Bulls were able to take game 2 2 to 1 as the pitching continued to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard (now 37-24).  Nick Gonzalez got the start.  He worked 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 runs, walking 1 and struck out 8 batters.  Austin Adams replaced him and worked 2 scoreless innings.  Steven Leasure worked the 9th, allowing just 1 hit.  The offense did just enough to get the win.  Jimmy Falla was 2 for 3 and scores a run and Andrew Longley went 1 for 3 as well.

The Bulls will now face St. Johns tomorrow at noon as they look to take the Big East tournament title.  USF is playing at an unreal level right now and needs just one more win tomorrow to reach a goal. 

USF softball headed to softball world series

Plenty of reasons to smile as the Bulls head to the college world series. 

History has been made.  The USF Bulls, after dropping the game last night, came back to sweep the two games today and punch their tickets to the college world series (USF now 50-12 on the year). 

In the first game, the Bulls were able to win 2 to 1.  Lindsey Richardson went 4 innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks, and fanned 5 batters.  Sara Nevins took over after her, working 5 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and struck out 8 batters.  Kenshyra Jackson was 1 for 4 with an RBI.  Kourtney Salvarola was 0 for 3 and scored a run for the Bulls as they avoided elimination and forced a final game against Hofstra. 

The Bulls took the field in game two and were able to win 2 to 1.  Lindsey Richardson went 1.1 innings, allowing 2 hits and struck out 1 batter.  Sara Nevins once again replaced her and worked 5.2 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, walking 4 and struck out 6 batters as she continued to show the nation she is one of the best pitchers in the country.  Stephanie Medina was 0 for 2 with an RBI.  Kourtney Salvarola was 2 for 3.  Kenshyra was 1 for 1 with an RBI to put the Bulls ahead for good. 

It's history.  USF is headed to Oklahoma City for the college world series.  Unreal.  This is huge for the team, congratulations to the ladies as they continue their tremendous season.

USF drops game to Hofstra in Super Regional opener

What a game.  In front of a record setting crowd (over 1500), the USF Bulls battled Hofstra to the 11th inning, but fell 1 to 2 in the super regional opener (now 48-12 on the season).  

Sara Nevins got the start for the Bulls, but struggled early in the game, leaving a lot of base runners on against her.  She ended the day working 7.1 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, 6 walks, and fanned 9 batters.  Lindsey Richardson came in during the middle of the game and worked 3.2 innings of relief, striking out 2 batters.   The offense was quiet however.  The only score came in the third inning with a bunt by Jessica Mouse that scored Courtney Goff.  Ashli Goff was 2 for 3 in the game as well. 

USF faces elimination tomorrow at 2:30 as they take the field for game 2, looking to get something on offense and rebound. 

USF survives another day, beats Louisville 6 to 2

Facing elimination in the Big East tournament and facing the top seed in Louisville, the Bulls put on a show beating the Cardinals 6 to 2 and improving their record to 35-21 on the year.  The Bulls are still alive in this tournament and now have to face UCONN tomorrow at 1PM for another shot at the Huskies. 

Matt Reed had a huge game.  He worked 7.1 innings, allowing just 4 hits, 2 runs, and walked 2 batters.  Austin Adams took over after that, working the last 2.1 innings and struck out 2 batters, shutting down a powerful Cardinal batting order. 

The USF bats remained hot.  Alex Mendez went 3 for 4 including a 3-run home run that put USF ahead for good.  James Ramsay went 2 for 4 and scored a run.  Daniel Rockhold went 2 for 4 and drove in 3 runs as well. 

USF will face UCONN tomorrow starting at 1PM.  The Bulls have to beat them twice if they want to advance further in the tournament, so prepare for another big day full of drama and excitement.