TAMPA, Fla. (March 21, 2026) – University of South Florida baseball equalized the opening conference series against Rice. The Bulls (19-4, 1-1 American) defeated the Owls (14-10, 1-1 American) 2-0.
Action got started in the bottom of the first for the Bulls.
Ryan Pruitt ripped a leadoff double to right field. Due up next was
Bradke Lohry, who laid down a bunt for a single that advanced Pruitt to third. A fly out to left field would give
Nathan Earley his second sacrifice fly of the series, scoring Pruitt. South Florida currently leads the nation in sacrifice flies. The Bulls led 1-0 to end the first inning.
The only other scoring in the game would come in the bottom of the eighth for South Florida.
Lance Trippel reached first on a passed ball on a third strike swinging.
Jack Lutz drew a walk, and
Eli Thomas pinch hit for
Gabe Graulau, earning himself a single that advanced Lutz and Trippel.
Jevin Relaford hit a ball to shortstop that Thomas would be out on, but Relaford would reach on a fielder's choice to keep the inning alive and score Trippel. The Bulls would go on to win 2-0.
Michael Senay pitched 8.2 innings on the day and was relieved by
Ethan Sutton in the top of the ninth for the final out. Senay recorded nine strikeouts while allowing just three hits, one walk, and no runs. This was his first performance after being named American Conference Pitcher of the Week. Sutton was awarded the save.
Notables:
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Michael Senay threw 8.2 innings, recording nine strikeouts while giving up three hits and one walk.
• South Florida is now 16-2 at home this season.
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Jevin Relaford is ranked top 20 nationally in stolen bases, earning his 17th base of the year tonight. Pruitt is not far behind him with 14.
• The Bulls lead the nation in sacrifice flies, earning another one tonight.
•
Lance Trippel is now on a nine-game hit streak.
•
Ethan Sutton earned his fourth save of the season.
Up Next:
The final and deciding game of the three-game series is set for Sunday, March 22nd. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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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.
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