Finally, University of South Florida OF Ryan Lockwood was stopped. Actually he stopped himself.

Lockwood missed the past two games with a groin strain. But USF coach Lelo Prado hopes Lockwood - and his 27-game hitting streak - will return Tuesday when the Bulls host UCF.

“We hope he can return against UCF, but if not we definitely need him [next Friday] against St. John’s,” Prado said.

Lockwood, of Jesuit, is hitting .400, the nation’s seventh-highest freshman average. During his streak, he’s hitting .446. As impressive as Lockwood’s 27-game hitting streak is, he’s not even half way to the NCAA’s Division I mark by Oklahoma State’s Robin Ventura (58 consecutive games in 1987).

The Bulls (25-21, 10-11 Big East) visit St. John’s next Friday through Sunday and then play Florida in Gainesville May 13. USF closes the regular season at home against Notre Dame May 15-17.

The Bulls then host the Big East Tournament May 20-24 in Clearwater.