CLEARWATER, May 21, 2025- INF Matt Rose hit the game-winning home run in the No. 3-seeded University of South Florida Bulls (30-24, 16-11 American) won over the No. 7 Wichita State Shockers (20-36, 11-16 American) on Wednesday night at BayCare Ballpark to stay alive in the 2025 American Athletic Conference Tournament. The Bulls won with a final score of 4-3.
 
The Bulls will continue their postseason run on Friday as they take on the loser of the Charlotte and East Carolina game. South Florida will play on Friday, May 23, 47 minutes after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. game.
 
Down early after Wichita State's first-inning run, USF remained composed and gradually clawed back. The Bulls cracked the scoreboard in the fifth when Carter Murphy drove in two runs, narrowing the deficit. In the seventh, Matt Rose launched a solo homer to tie the game 3-3 after Wichita State had briefly retaken the lead in the top half of the inning.
 
USF's offense came alive in key moments despite only tallying four hits. Jackson Mayo doubled and scored twice, while Ryan Pruitt and Rafael Betancourt drew timely walks to keep innings alive. Matt Rose's homer and Murphy's clutch at-bat were pivotal.
 
On the mound, starter Jack Nedrow delivered a strong 7.1-inning outing, allowing five hits and striking out seven. Austin Newton came in with ice in his veins, shutting the door over the final 1.2 innings and earning his first win of the season.
 
Key Stats:

• For the first time since 2021, the Bulls have 30 wins in a season.
• Nedrow and Newton combined for 10 strikeouts.
• Nedrow set a season-high of seven strikeouts.
• Rose hit his first game-winning home run of his career.  
• Newton earned his first win of the season.
• Mayo recorded his ninth multi-run game.
• Mayo's 38 runs this season are tied for second on the team.

 
Up Next:
No. 3-seeded South Florida will play the loser of the Charlotte and East Carolina game on Friday, May 23. The first pitch is set for 47 minutes after the 1 p.m. game. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard on Bulls Unlimited.  
 
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.