Lawrence Pardo started the last four baseball games – something he hasn’t done in his two years at USF. 

On Tuesday, he received a no-decision in his first start on the mound, as USF (17-11) fell 6-3 to Stetson (11-17).

The Santa Fe transfer got his first start in the lineup Friday against Cincinnati, replacing first baseman Buddy Putnam, who went 0-for-8 in the three games prior. Pardo batted .250 with three walks and five runs in the series, as the Bulls won two of three.

Batting fifth on Tuesday, he went 2-for-4 with a run and a walk as the designated hitter. On the mound, the lefty allowed one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks through three innings. 

USF took a 1-0 lead in the third with leadoff, back-to-back doubles by Austin Lueck, who went 3-for-4, and Kyle Teaf, who went 1-for-4. 

Stetson tied the game in the bottom of the third with Tanner Blackman’s RBI fielder’s choice, which scored Patrick Mazeika, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles. With runners on the corners, Kyle Pitts lined out to second baseman Nik Alfonso to end the inning.

Daniel Portales and Pardo led off the fourth with back-to-back singles. Putnam moved both runners in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. 

Stetson starter Ben Rakus, who allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits in 3 1/3 innings, intentionally walked Levi Borders before Josh Thorne took the mound with the bases loaded.

Pinch-hitter Andres Leal scored Portales with a sacrifice fly, and Alfonso scored Pardo with a base hit to put the Bulls up 3-1. 

Thorne (2-0) earned the win for Stetson, as the Hatters took a 4-3 lead in the fourth with Tyler Bocock’s RBI double and Garrett Russini’s two-RBI double. Russini led the Hatters offensively, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. 

The Hatters added to their lead in the sixth with an RBI double off Nolan Thomas. The run was charged to Justin Patrick (1-1), who took the loss after allowing one run (earned) on one hit in 1 2/3 innings. The Hatters hit another RBI double in the eighth, extending their lead to 6-3. 

USF plays the second makeup game against Stetson tonight at 5.