Kaufmans gem leads USF to victory over rival
Senior pitcher Teddy Kaufman couldn’t have written a better script.
Kaufman struck out a career-high 14 batters and allowed only four hits in a complete-game shutout, as the Bulls beat their in-state rival UCF 4-0 on Tuesday night.
“They were swinging a lot,” Kaufman said. “They were chasing a lot of my curve balls and sliders.”
The Bulls knocked in two runs early to provide Kaufman, who threw 130 pitches, with some run support.
Outfielder Stephen Hunt scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Daniel Rockhold in the second inning, then first baseman Todd Brazeal crushed a solo shot to deep center in the third, giving the Bulls an early 2-0 lead. Rockhold added a solo homer in the seventh to increase the lead to three runs.
“We just played a solid game. Our team played together,” said coach Lelo Prado. “They were focused, and the results were there.”
USF went without any errors on defense for the second straight game and played arguably their best game of the season behind Kaufman.
“I guess when everybody’s got confidence, good things happen,” Kaufman said.
What made the night even more special for Kaufman was the fact that it was his dad’s birthday. His dad traveled from Miami to watch him pitch.
“That was the best present I think I could give him. It was awesome,” he said.
Kaufman is now 2-1 on the season with a 3.27 ERA.
USF will play their next seven games at home, starting with Mercer on Friday night. After a solid road outing against the Knights, the Bulls will look to keep their momentum going.
“This is the way I expect our team to play all year long,” Prado said.
More Stories
Thank you to Oracle readers and supporters
Dear reader: In April, we told you of The Oracle’s challenges as we transition to a fully-digital paper – from budget cuts to a lack of updated technology. We asked for your help and you stepped up. Through your contributions, we raised over $800 just one month after announcing our new fund with the USF […]
Florida’s ‘Stop Woke’ law could endanger USF students’ education, professors say
Elizabeth Aranda has been educating students on Latino history for over two decades. Aranda, a USF sociology professor, said she wouldn’t be able to do her job if Florida’s “Stop Woke” law were put into effect. “Imagine you are an orchestra conductor but you’re missing every third page of the musical score,” Aranda said. “There […]
USF’s decision to replace ‘cultural icon’ Pollo Tropical is disappointing, students say
Upon arriving in Tampa, junior criminology major Ana Hernandez said she felt a certain culture shock. Hernandez, who moved from Venezuela to Miami as a child, found it hard to find familiar food as often as she did in Miami, where the Hispanic community is bigger. USF’s on-campus Pollo Tropical, located just a brief walk […]
New USF residential hall at the Sarasota-Manatee campus to open in August
USF Sarasota-Manatee will open its first residential hall in late August, joining Tampa and St. Pete as a residential campus. With a $43.95 million price tag, the new building will serve as both a student center and residential hall. It will open on Aug. 23, the Friday before fall classes begin. The dorm will allow […]
USF professors discuss 2024 primary: ‘Do not skip this election’
The clock is ticking with less than a month left to register by July 22 for this year’s primary election. With critical races like local school boards and Senate on the line, USF professors are urging students to make their voices heard this election season. Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan is a political science professor and the […]
Former USF football player killed in car crash
Former USF tight end Teigan Martin was killed in a single-car crash in Minnesota on Monday morning, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s office. First responders responded to a report of a crash on County Road 122 near Hollywood Township, MN, just after 5 a.m., according to a sheriff’s press release. Deputies discovered a vehicle […]