TAMPA, Fla. (May 14, 2026) – University of South Florida baseball took Game 1 of a vital three-game series hosting Wichita State. The Bulls (31-20, 10-15 American) defeated the Shockers (25-29, 10-15 American) by a score of 4-1.
Nathan Earley recorded the game-winning RBI for the Bulls in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run home run, 431 feet to right-center. He has now hit a home run in back-to-back games and can become the first Bull since 2010 to homer in three straight games.
Jevin Relaford stole his 31st base of the season. He is now tied for the sixth-most stolen bases in a single South Florida season with Scott Miller, who stole 31 in 1976.
Jack Lutz added an insurance run with an RBI single to left-center and turned a double play in the top of the ninth to record the final two outs.
Starting on the mound was
Kaden Smith, who held Wichita State hitless with seven strikeouts through four innings.
Dominic Pontbriant relieved him, throwing three innings and earning the win.
Edwin Alicea got the save for the Bulls in the last two innings. South Florida pitching totaled 10 strikeouts while allowing just one run on two hits.
This is a crucial win in keeping South Florida in the battle for a spot in next week's American Conference Tournament. Both teams directly ahead of the Bulls, Tulane and Charlotte, fell in their first games of the weekend series.
Notables:
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Nathan Earley hit a two-run home run, now homering in back-to-back games.
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Jevin Relaford recorded stolen base No. 31, now tied for sixth-most in a single season with Scott Miller, who stole 31 in 1976.
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Jack Lutz hit an RBI single and secured the last two outs with a double play.
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Kaden Smith held Wichita State hitless through four innings, recording seven strikeouts.
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Edwin Alicea earned his first save of the season.
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Dominic Pontbriant is now 4-0 on the year.
Up Next:
Another vital matchup comes in Game 2 of the series against Wichita State on Friday, May 15. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+ as the Bulls continue to fight for a spot in the conference tournament.
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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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