TAMPA, FL., MARCH 2, 2025 – University of South Florida baseball (6-5; 0-0 AAC) fell to UCF (9-3; 0-0 Big 12) 12-2 in seven innings at USF Baseball Stadium in the 172nd meeting between the teams. The Bulls suffered their first series loss of the season, with the Knights winning two out of the three games.
USF fell short in their bid to start the season with three straight series wins. The Bulls won the opening game 13-3 but saw UCF take the next two by scores of 12-1 and 12-2. All three games were decided in seven innings.
As was the case Saturday, UCF got off to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first two innings. In the top of the first, the Knights used three singles to score the game’s first run. The Knights utilized the long ball to add three runs in the second inning, scoring on a solo home run, followed by a single and two-run homer.
In their half of the fourth, USF bounced back with two runs. Stewart Puckett got on with a two-out single. Lance Trippel doubled to left, advancing Puckett to third. Ryan Pruitt doubled to right center to score Trippel and Puckett, Pruitt’s team-high fifth double of the season and 10th and 11th RBI.
UCF struck again via the long ball in the top of the fifth. A walk and a single put two runners on base. A three-run homer to right center extended the Knights lead to 7-1
The Knights added two more runs in the top of the sixth. A hit batsman and double put runners on second and third. A run scored on a double, leaving runners remaining on second and third. A single to left scored one run and a runner was cut down at the plate eliminating another potential run.
The first two runners got aboard for UCF in the top of the seventh via a walk and hit batsman. A triple drove in both runners and the Knights added their third run of the inning and 12th of the game on a single.
Key Stats:
• The Bulls stole two more bases, bringing their season total to 22. USF entered the weekend ranked 32nd nationally in total steals.
• USF fell behind in the first inning for only the second time this season
• The 12 runs by UCF tie for the most given up in a game by USF this season
• The last time USF gave up 12 runs un a game to UCF, prior to Saturday, was 4-02-23, a 12-9 loss in Orlando, Fla.
• USF sent six pitchers to the mound Sunday and 11 in the three games against UCF
Notables:
• Sebastian Greico has reached base in five consecutive games. He saw his four-game home run streak, tied for the program high, end and his team-high five-game hitting streak also ended. He leads the team with five home runs and 16 RBI.
• Marcus Brodil reached base twice, extending his streak to 11 games. He is the only Bull to reach base in every game this season. He was caught stealing for the first time this season
• Ryan Pruitthit his team-high fifth double of the season and drove in two runs. He is second on the team with 11 RBI and has reached base in 10 of the Bulls 11 games
Up Next:
The Bulls go on the road for the second time this season Wednesday, March 5 when they head to Fort Myers to play Florida Gulf Coast University at Swanson Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls baseball at the USF Baseball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking HERE.
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About USF Baseball
The South Florida Baseball program played its first season in 1966 and will enter its 60th campaign in 2025. Mitch Hannahs was named South Florida’s eighth head coach in program history on June 8, 2024, after compiling 355 wins over 11 seasons at Indiana State. The 2023 ABCA NCAA DI Midwest Region Coach of the Year guided the Sycamores to six conference titles and five NCAA Regionals. The Bulls have made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and earned their first-ever Super Regional berth in 2021. The Bulls have won five conference tournament titles (3 Sun Belt, 1 Metro and 1 American) and six regular season championships (3 Sun Belt, 2 Metro and 1 C-USA). USF baseball players have been recognized with All-America honors 12 times and 19 Bulls have earned Freshman All-America accolades. USF has had 131 MLB Draft Picks. Former 2018 first-round draft pick, Shane McClanahan, is a two-time MLB All-Star.
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