BIRMINGHAM, AL., MARCH 21, 2025 – University of South Florida baseball (11-9; 0-1 AAC) fell to the UAB Blazers (15-7; 1-0 AAC) in a pitcher's duel to open conference play on Friday night in Birmingham. The Bulls lost with a score of 3-1.
 
UAB took the lead in the bottom half of the opening frame with a two-run home run to right field. The Bulls cut the Blazer's lead in half, scoring a run in the fourth inning.  Rafael Betancourt and Jackson Mayo hit back-to-back singles. Bradke Lohry reached on a fielder's choice to advance Betancourt to third. Lance Trippel's fielder's choice batted in a run to get the Bulls on the board.
 
The Blazers put some pressure on the Bulls, loading the bases with two outs in the fifth inning. Corey Braun got out of the inning with a groundout to Carlos Jacome.
 
Braun pitched 6.2 innings, holding UAB to two runs on four hits. He struck out a game-high seven batters. The 6.2 innings was the second-highest outing this season.
 
UAB added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Adan Longoria pitched the final 1.1 innings. He struck out one batter.
 
Key Stats:

• Betancourt recorded his third multi-hit performance this season.
• Mayo produced his sixth multi-hit performance.
• Jacome recorded his second multi-hit performance.
• Braun brings his season strikeout total to 42 with seven tonight.

 
Notables:

• Corey Braun pitched 6.2 innings, holding the Blazers to two runs on four hits, and struck out seven batters. His season total is now 42.
• Rafael Betancourt, Jackson Mayo, and Carlos Jacome led the team with two hits.

 
Up Next:
South Florida looks to even the series against UAB tomorrow afternoon. The Bulls and Blazers will face off at 3 p.m. (ET).  The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls baseball at the USF Baseball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking HERE.
 
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About USF Baseball
The South Florida Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and will enter its 60th campaign in 2025. Mitch Hannahs was named South Florida's eighth head coach in program history on June 8, 2024, after compiling 355 wins over 11 seasons at Indiana State. The 2023 ABCA NCAA DI Midwest Region Coach of the Year guided the Sycamores to six conference titles and five NCAA Regionals. The Bulls have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and earned their first-ever Super Regional berth in 2021. The Bulls have won five conference tournament titles (3 Sun Belt, 1 Metro, and 1 American) and six regular season championships (3 Sun Belt, 2 Metro, and 1 C-USA). USF baseball players have been recognized with All-America honors 12 times, and 19 Bulls have earned Freshman All-America accolades. USF has had 131 MLB Draft Picks. Former 2018 first-round draft pick Shane McClanahan is a two-time MLB All-Star.
 
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