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Tampa, FL – The Wagner baseball team dropped a 12-1 decision at the University of South Florida on Friday night at USF Baseball Stadium. It was the season opener for the Seahawks, who fall to 0-1 on the year while the Bulls improve to 3-2 on the young season.

USF scored their first six runs on a total of five hits in the first four innings of play.  In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulls exploded for six runs on three hits. The outpour commenced as Austin Lueck drew a walk before advancing to third on a Nik Alfonso single.  The bases were loaded as Clay Simmons drew a six-pitch walk before Kevin Merrell and Kyle Teaf were each issued consecutive free passes to drive in two runs. A pair of two-RBI-singles from Daniel Portales and Luke Borders drove in the final two runs of the inning.

South Florida's Jimmy Herget (1-0) of the Bulls pitched to the tune of 5.2 perfect innings, fanning a total of six Seahawks hitters to this point before the visitors were able to record their first hit of the contest. With two-men out, freshman Anthony Godino (Thornwood, NY/Pleasantville) laced a single to right field on the first pitch he saw in the at-bat.  Sophomore shortstop Nick Mascelli (Clifton, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) walked on four-straight pitches, giving the visitors their first real threat of the contest but the rally came to a halt as senior outfielder Trey Nicosia (State College, PA/State College Area) flew out to right ending the chance for the Seahawks.

The Seahawks were able to record their first 1-2-3 inning of the contest in the bottom of the 6^th as junior righty Nathan Hunt (Kirtland, OH/Hawken School) came in relief of sophomore lefty Brad Currao (Howell, NJ/St. Rose) after recording a groundout, a strikeout and a fly-out to end the inning.

Mascelli connected on the lone run of the game for the visiting Seahawks, as the Clifton, New Jersey native doubled down the right field line that saw senior first baseman Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville) score from second base after the senior singled up-the-middle to start the inning.

In all, Wagner used five pitchers in the season opener, with starter Matt Morris (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney) (0-1) taking the loss after giving up six earned runs in just 3.1 innings. A season-ago, Morris allowed just 22 free-passes but tonight, he gave up seven to the Bulls. 

Mascelli, Mazurkiewicz, junior Ben Ruta (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor Plainsboro South) and Godino each went 1-for-3 in the contest.

Wagner and USF return to the diamond on Saturday in game two of the series.  First pitch is slated for 6:30 pm with junior righty Mike Adams (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Holy Spirit) is the probable starter for the Seahawks while he takes on Casey Mulholland.