Senior first baseman Jimmy Maxwell hit his first home run of the season and USF settled for a split with Regis University on Sunday at Hobb Field at the Runyon Field Complex.
Due to snow, the weekend four game series was moved from Regis University (Denver) to Pueblo, Colo.
USF (2-2) lost game 1 of the doubleheader 9-2.
Senior Brady Nolz was saddled with the loss as he gave up five runs on six hits in six innings. The Cougar bats were silenced by Regis righty Mike McElreath, who tossed seven innings and posted a good poker hand, giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
The only dent USF made on the scoreboard was in the third frame. Anthony Williams laced an RBI single from the no. 3 spot and Maxwell followed that with an RBI double, his fifth two-sacker of the season.
Freshman Eric Brothers earned his first collegiate win in the nightcap, scattering three runs on five hits in USF's 4-3 victory. He went 5.2 innings, posted five strikeouts and issued six walks.
Andrew Christensen and Derek Fischer combined for 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.
"Eric pitched well for us in his first collegiate start," head baseball coach Matt Guiliano said. "He was around the zone, but could be a little sharper. College hitters adjust to pitchers faster than high school hitters do and that's something Eric will have to keeping working on this season."
The Cougars' 3-4 hitters once again provided a powerful punch. Williams went 1-for-4 with an RBI single. Maxwell smacked a two-run dinger in the first inning and finished 1-for-2 with two walks. Ryan Fobes and Zach Ireland each tallied two hits. Dylan Dwyer was 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk.
A Cougar web gem in the bottom of the seventh sealed the victory. With two on and two out, Fischer induced a long fly ball that sailed deep into foul territory. Williams got on his horse and made the diving catch to end the game.
USF travels to Joplin this weekend for a four-game series against Missouri Southern.
