For the first time in program history, the University of South Florida baseball team walked out of Coral Gables with a win, taking down the Miami Hurricanes 4-2 on Wednesday night. In a contest that saw early fireworks and a tense ninth-inning finale, the Bulls (26-10) managed to hold off a late Miami surge to secure the milestone victory.
The bats wasted no time heating up under the South Florida sun, as both teams combined for four runs in the opening frame. Ryan Pruitt ignited the Bulls’ offense immediately with a leadoff single to left.
After swiping second base, Pruitt reached third on a throwing error by Miami catcher Alonzo Alvarez and was driven home shortly after by a Lance Trippel RBI single. The Bulls added a second run when Jevin Relaford reached on a bunt single; another errant throw by the Hurricanes allowed Trippel to cross the plate, giving South Florida a quick 2-0 cushion.
Miami (27-10) responded aggressively in the bottom of the first. Jake Ogden doubled to left to start the inning and was driven in by an Alex Sosa triple. Sosa then scored on a Max Galvin single to center, knotting the game at 2-2.
READ: USF Freshman Pitcher Michael Senay Is Cool, Calm, and Damn Good
The tie held until the top of the third when Joey Brenczewski launched a solo home run 377 feet to right field. The blast, Brenczewski’s first of the year, put the Bulls up 3-2. Statistically, the long ball has been a major omen for South Florida this season; the team is 13-2 in games with at least one home run.
An insurance run arrived in the seventh inning. Pruitt, who finished the night with two hits and two stolen bases, reached after being hit by a pitch. He moved to third on a triple and eventually scored when Jackson Geiger grounded into a double play.
On the mound, Dominic Pontbriant provided a steady hand for the Bulls. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just the two early runs to earn his second win of the season. Ethan Sutton closed the door by pitching the final two innings, surviving a bases-loaded scare in the ninth to secure his eighth save of the year.
The loss was a rare home stumble for the Hurricanes, who saw their record move to 8-7 in ACC play. Meanwhile, Trippel continued his dominant season for South Florida, extending his reach-base streak to 20 games.
The Bulls now head back to Tampa to host a three-game conference tilt against the UAB Blazers at Red McEwen Field, with the series opener set for Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
