TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2026) – University of South Florida baseball heads to Orlando to write a new chapter in the War on I-4. The Bulls (7-2) face the UCF Golden Knights (4-3) in a three-game weekend series.
 
For Game 1 of the series Friday night, UCF will be hosting "Out West Knight", described as "A nod to our opponent out west, having some country fun out at the ballpark. With music, concessions and on-field games."
 
Setting The Stage:
South Florida is coming off a chilly night in Daytona, with a 4-3 loss to Bethune-Cookman. UCF had its last scheduled game against Jacksonville postponed, and its last played game was against the #1 seed LSU, which beat them 11-0 in seven innings.
 
Series History:
The War on I-4 will crown a new winner this weekend, as the all-time series is tied 39-39. The Golden Knights took the three-game 2025 series 2-1 in Tampa. All three games were decided in seven innings.
 
Note-A-Bull:

• Ryan Pruitt has started the first nine games of the season on a nine-game hitting streak.
• Jevin Relaford leads the team with five stolen bases on seven attempts.
• Landon O'Donnell leads the team with two saves and one win.
• Nolan Bernard starts the season with two wins.

 
Tickets:
Interested in tickets for the 2026 Bulls baseball season? Click here to learn more.
 
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About USF Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball program, founded in 1966, enters its 61st season in 2026. Head coach Mitch Hannahs returns for his second year at the helm after leading the Bulls to 32 wins in his debut season—the program's highest win total since 2018. USF also posted 16 victories in American Athletic Conference play, marking its best conference showing since joining the league.
 
Hannahs, a 2023 ABCA NCAA Division I Midwest Region Coach of the Year, was named USF'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.
 
USF has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic Super Regional berth in 2021. The Bulls have 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 134 MLB Draft picks all-time, including three selections in 2025. Notable alumni include two-time MLB All-Star and 2018 first-round draft pick Shane McClanahan. Bulls have earned All-America honors 12 times and Freshman All-America recognition 19 times.
– #GoBulls –