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Pitcher's comeback bolsters USF Bulls

The freshman righthander's elbow surgery had erased his senior season at Gaither.

By ROD GIPSON
Published March 6, 2005

CARROLLWOOD - The University of South Florida bullpen had a rough start to this young baseball season. Twice during the opening week of the season the Bulls lost leads after the regular pitchers went out.

Enter Daniel Thomas.

A right-handed starting pitcher for the Bulls, Thomas pitched the last three innings for USF on Feb. 20, shutting down Eastern Michigan in the 2-0 win. Facing 10 batters, he struck out four and walked none while allowing two hits.

The win was the second in a week for the true freshman from Gaither High School. Even more impressive, considering he's 14 months removed from major elbow surgery that wiped out his entire senior season at Gaither.

"It's remarkable," USF coach Eddie Cardieri said of Thomas. "To come back and throw that well is really the exception rather than the rule. Usually you're looking at 16 or 17 months and then it takes a while.

"So it says a lot for him. It really does."

With a 6-foot-2 frame and a fastball in the low 90s, Thomas won't spend all his time this season relief pitching. He opened the season with an impressive debut against Bethune Cookman, picking up a win and striking out five of the first six batters he faced. Thomas is 3-1 on the year with a 2.41 ERA in five appearances. He has allowed just five runs and has struck out 19 batters.

USF, which is playing a five-game schedule at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu this weekend, continues its home schedule March 11 against Quinnipiac. Thomas is expected to get at least one start in Hawaii.

Former Gaither standout golfer Ashley Kemp will soon play her first collegiate spring tournament as Florida State plays at the Lady Gator Invitational in Gainesville. Kemp was a district runner-up as a high school senior last season.

Rollins College second baseman Gary Martoccio is off to a red hot start to his college career. The freshman from Sickles is batting a team-best .368. Also, Martoccio has seven hits, five runs batted in, has scored three runs and stolen two bases.

Former Wharton baseball player Josh Spivey is now a multitasker for the FSU baseball squad. The sophomore is playing the outfield, first base and designated hitter. He has started six of nine games for the Seminoles, currently ranked eighth in the country by Collegiate Baseball magazine. He's hitting .250 with five hits, a double and four RBI.

Saint Leo guard Patrice Bonilla has started all 25 games for the Lions this season. The senior from Sickles has been a bright spot for the women's team, averaging 8 points and 3 rebounds this season as the Lions have struggled with just one win this season.

[Last modified March 5, 2005, 08:12:04]