TAMPA, Fla. (March 19, 2026) – University of South Florida baseball opens conference play by hosting Rice. The Bulls (18-3) welcome the Owls (13-9) for a three-game weekend series.
 
Setting The Stage:
South Florida is on a nine-game win streak, coming off a midweek victory and season sweep of the Jacksonville Dolphins. Rice is coming off a win at home over UTRGV, 7-3.
 
Series History:
The Owls have dominated the young all-time series record, currently leading 5-1. South Florida is 0-3 at home against Rice and lost the last series on the road, 2-1, last season.
 
Note-A-Bull:

• South Florida is ranked #25 in the Nation in Perfect Game's Top 25.
• Michael Senay was awarded American Conference Pitcher of the Week.
• The Bulls are on a nine-game winning streak.
• South Florida is 8-0 in games in which a Bull has hit a home run.
• The Bulls lead the nation in sacrifice flies, 14th in Earned Run Average.
• Pruitt leads the team in hits, runs, and RBIs.
• Jevin Relaford leads the team in stolen bases with 15.
• South Florida has outscored its opponents by over 100 runs, 175-73.
• Lance Trippel is currently on a seven-game hit streak.

 
Tickets:
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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 –