Junior infielder Luke Gradishar earned a bases loaded walk for the game winning RBI completing a 13 inning marathon as USF defeated BYU 13-12 in a game that was suspended by darkness Tuesday. The teams combined 25 runs and 33 hits that took 4:45 to complete Wednesday at Benedetti Diamond. USF improves to 2-2 and secures a split in the series with BYU.

Tuesday, USF battled back from a 6-2 deficit with four runs in the fourth inning but BYU answered back with a run in the fourth and fifth then jumped out to a 12-7 lead after scoring four runs in the seventh. The Dons responded in the seventh with five runs keyed by junior outfielder Jason Howard’s three-run homerun over the right field fence to tie the score 12-12.

Neither team would score on the remaining two innings on Tuesday. Freshman right-hander Kevin Rose threw four scoreless innings allowing just two hits for his first career victory as a Don. Rose struck out three of the fourteen batters that he faced. Rose came in as relief for junior right-hander Peter Dunkle who was effective for 2.1 innings allowing just one hit as darkness fell on Tuesday.

Howard led the way for the Dons offensively going 2-6 with four RBI. Freshman infielder Nick Cirbo and Gradishar also assisted the Dons with 2 RBI. Junior catcher Steve Booth came through for the Dons with a 3-6 performance including a double and a RBI.

Rose (1-0) collected the win for USF, while junior right-hander Matt Ward (0-1) took the loss for the Cougars.

The Dons will play again this Friday in Stockton against Pacific. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 pm.