Bulls within game of Big East lead

Posted May 4, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 4, 2012 at 08:26 PM

Behind the complete-game, two-hit pitching of LHP Andrew Barbosa, the University of South Florida Bulls won at St. John’s 3-0 on Friday night, closing to within a game of the Big East Conference lead with eight league games remaining.

St. John’s (29-17, 14-5) leads the Big East, but USF (30-16, 13-6) is right behind. Two games remain in the series. Meanwhile, Louisville (31-14, 12-6) faces West Virginia in a Saturday double-header, then a Sunday single game. Connecticut (24-20, 12-6) hosts Cincinnati in a Saturday double-header and Sunday single game.

Barbosa struck out eight batters and walked none in USF’s best pitching performance this season (or any season, for that matter).

After this weekend, the Bulls have a home series against Connecticut and a road series at West Virginia. The Big East tournament is at Clearwater’s Bright House Stadium on May 23-27 with the winner earning an automatic NCAA regional bid.