Cleveland, Carlin key 6-run 2nd inning

Junior Carlin had three hits all season a week ago. Tonight, the freshman has two hits in the first two innings. Charles Cleveland? The senior entered the game with a .189 average and four RBIs all season in 74 at-bats. Stepping to the plate as USF's No. 9 hitter with the bases loaded, Cleveland came through with a two-run single, part of a six-run second that has the sixth-seeded Bulls up 6-2 on third-seeded Notre Dame.

The Bulls nickel-and-dimed the Irish with five singles in the inning -- Brian Hobbs and Trey Manz had one-out singles, then Jonathan Koscso was hit by a pitch to load the bases. That's USF's nation-leading 108th HBP of the season, by the way. Then Cleveland's 2-run single, then a Mike Consolmagno walk, then Carlin's RBI single and a two-run single by Joey Angelberger. Seven consecutive Bulls reached base before Addison Maruszak brought in the sixth run with a RBI infield groundout.

Comments

[G.A.]

Update: Bulls lead 6-2 after three innings. Starter Derrick Stultz is looking sharp, having held Notre Dame without a hit in the last two innings.

[greg budzban]

Go Bulls!