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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 13, 2001
Eylward's 2 homers lift USF
TAMPA -- Mike Eylward had four hits, including two home runs, and South Florida edged Houston 10-9 Saturday to secure the No. 3 seed at the Conference USA tournament.
"Mike Eylward was outstanding," USF coach Eddie Cardieri said. "He has it going pretty good right now."
A senior from Clearwater High, Eylward hit a two-run home run in the first and homered in the fifth, surpassing Jason Dellaero for No. 3 all-time with 40.
Houston, trailing 9-4, tied the score with a five-run sixth.
USF catcher Allen Shirley, who had four hits and raised his average to a team-high .376, started a two-out rally in the sixth with a single. Mike Barclay was hit by a pitch and Bill Nahorodny doubled home the winning run.
David Richtberg earned his sixth save. He came in with none out and runners on first and second in the eighth.
Jason Bartz, the third of four USF pitchers, came in with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth. He allowed four hits but no runs to get the win.
Eight USF seniors will be honored before today's 1 p.m. regular-season finale.
Tulane split its first two games at Louisville and earned the top seed in the C-USA tournament at New Orleans.
UCF WINS: George Cox hit a three-run home run in the 11th inning and host Central Florida defeated Georgia State 5-2. Jeremy Kurella of Dunedin High School doubled to tie the score at 2 in the seventh inning. The Golden Knights, who have won nine straight, open the TAAC tournament in Jacksonville at 11 a.m. Wednesday against Troy State. Other teams are Stetson, JU, Florida Atlantic and Campbell. For information call (904) 745-7407.