Bulls Fall Short: USF’s Season Ends in Extra-Inning Heartbreak

The Bulls also ended conference play with an 11-16 mark in the American Conference. The game began with Wichita State taking an early lead during the opening inning. South Florida answered quickly in the bottom half of the frame. Nathan Earley delivered a massive two-run home run that traveled 397 feet. His blast tied the game and energized the home crowd. Earley continued his strong finish to the season with another important offensive performance.

Earley’s power surge became one of the biggest stories during the final stretch. He homered in three of the Bulls’ last four games. His offensive consistency helped keep South Florida competitive during the final weeks. The senior slugger also drove in two runs during the season finale. Wichita State continued applying pressure throughout the middle innings. The Shockers collected timely hits and capitalized on scoring opportunities. South Florida struggled to contain the Wichita State lineup during several key moments. The visitors eventually built a lead that placed the Bulls in a difficult position.

Despite the setbacks, South Florida continued battling late into the contest. The Bulls showed resilience throughout the afternoon. Several players contributed important hits while keeping postseason hopes alive. Jackson Mirza and Bradke Lohry both recorded two hits during the game. Lohry also added an RBI in another productive performance.

Jacob Green delivered one of the biggest moments of the afternoon during the ninth inning. South Florida entered the inning trailing and facing elimination. Green stepped up and crushed a clutch double that scored two runs. His hit tied the game at 5-5 and forced extra innings. The dramatic moment created excitement inside the stadium and gave the Bulls renewed momentum. Green also made an impact on the bases during the game. He recorded a stolen base while continuing his strong offensive afternoon. His late-game heroics temporarily extended South Florida’s season and energized the dugout.

Unfortunately for the Bulls, Wichita State responded quickly during the 10th inning. The Shockers scored three runs in the top half of the frame. South Florida could not recover during the bottom of the inning. Wichita State secured the 8-5 victory and clinched a conference tournament berth with the win. The Bulls used several pitchers during the elimination game. Dominic Pontbriant started on the mound for South Florida. He pitched three innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Will Allen followed with three innings of relief work. Edwin Alicea eventually entered during the later innings. He suffered the loss in his third consecutive appearance. Alicea pitched 3.2 innings and recorded three strikeouts. He finished the season with a 6-5 record. Despite the difficult ending, Alicea remained one of the team’s reliable arms throughout the year.

Before the first pitch, South Florida honored its senior class during a special ceremony. The program recognized several players for their contributions and dedication. Those honored included Jevin Relaford, Matt Rose, Bradke Lohry, Rafael Betancourt, Jacob Green, Lance Trippel, Nathan Earley, Ryan Pruitt, Landen Yorek, Jorge DeCardenas, Juan Correa, and James Hill. The emotional ceremony added another layer to an already important afternoon. Many seniors played their final collegiate game wearing a South Florida uniform. Their efforts helped the program remain competitive throughout the season. Head coach Mitch Hannahs completed his second season leading the Bulls program. South Florida improved its consistency and remained in postseason contention late into the year. The 32 victories marked another encouraging season under Hannahs’s leadership.

The Bulls continued building momentum after recent program improvements. South Florida has developed a strong baseball tradition since the program began in 1966. The team has reached the NCAA Tournament 14 times and earned a Super Regional appearance in 2021.

USF baseball also continues producing professional talent. The program has produced 134 MLB Draft selections throughout its history. Former Bulls standout Shane McClanahan remains one of the school’s most notable alumni.

Although the season ended painfully, the Bulls displayed determination throughout the year. South Florida fought until the final inning of the season finale. The team’s comeback effort against Wichita State reflected the resilience shown during the entire season.

The loss prevented the Bulls from extending their year into conference tournament play. Still, South Florida finished with more than 30 victories and several memorable performances. The senior class also left behind an important foundation for the program’s future. The 2026 campaign ultimately closed with disappointment, but also optimism. South Florida showed growth under its current coaching staff and remained competitive throughout the season. The Bulls now look ahead toward building another successful campaign in 2027.