University of South Florida
Florida
Fall Ball Opens Friday vs. Florida at Steinbrenner Field
October 15, 2026 | Baseball
Bulls begin a four-game fall schedule, highlighted by games vs. Florida and Florida State
TAMPA, Fla. (October 15, 2026) – Fans will have their first opportunity to see the 2026-27 South Florida baseball team on Friday, as the Bulls officially open fall ball with a contest against Florida. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
South Florida students and fans are encouraged to purchase tickets through THIS LINK.
2026 Fall Ball Schedule
Friday's game marks the beginning of a four-game fall ball slate for the Bulls. Next Saturday, Oct. 24, they'll head to Baycare Ballpark to take on Florida State beginning at 1 p.m. Fans and students can purchase tickets here: TICKETS.
The Bulls' final two fall games will occur at Red McEwen Field – Sunday, Nov. 1 vs. Florida Southern (2 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 7 vs. Air Force (2 p.m.). Both games will be 14 innings and are open to the public with free admission.
The 2026-27 Bulls
South Florida will be under the direction of third-year head coach Mitch Hannahs this year. His teams have won 30 or more games in each of this first two seasons and in 2026-27 welcomes 28 newcomers to the roster.
The returning production this season includes sophomore infielder Jack Lutz, who earned a spot on the American Conference All-Freshman team in 2025 after starting 43 games. He hit .285 with 22 RBI, 26 runs scored and had a .362 on-base percentage.
On the mound, sophomore Dominic Pontbriant was also an American Conference All-Freshman team selection. He went 4-0 with a 3.61 ERA in 19 appearances — the second-most on the team. The Connecticut lefty made seven starts and worked 47.1 innings, striking out 29 batters while posting the second-best ERA among starters.
2026 South Florida Fall Baseball Schedule
Friday, Oct. 16 – vs. Florida (Steinbrenner Field; Tampa, Fla.) – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24 – vs. Florida State (BayCare Field; Clearwater, Fla.) – 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1 – vs. Florida Southern (Red McEwen Field; Tampa, Fla.) – 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – vs. Air Force (Red McEwen Field; Tampa, Fla.) – 2 p.m.
Tickets
Interested in tickets for the 2027 Bulls baseball season? Click here to learn more.
Follow South Florida Baseball
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Baseball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
About South Florida Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball program, founded in 1966, enters its 62nd season in 2027. Head coach Mitch Hannahs returns for his third year at the helm after leading the Bulls to 32 wins in each of his first two seasons. South Florida posted 16 victories in American Athletic Conference play during Hannahs' debut season, marking its best conference showing since joining the league.
Hannahs, a 2023 ABCA NCAA Division I Midwest Region Coach of the Year, was named South Florida's eighth head coach on June 8, 2024, after an 11-year run at Indiana State, where he tallied 355 wins, six conference titles and five NCAA Regional appearances.
The Bulls have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic Super Regional run in 2021. South Florida has captured five conference tournament titles (three Sun Belt, one Metro, one American) and six regular season championships (three Sun Belt, two Metro, one C-USA).
The program continues to develop top-tier talent with 137 MLB Draft picks all-time, including three selections in 2026. Notable alumni include two-time MLB All-Star and 2018 first-round draft pick Shane McClanahan. Bulls players have earned All-America honors 12 times and Freshman All-America recognition 19 times.
