Conference Honors Highlight Season Achievements
The American Conference announced its 2026 postseason awards this week, recognizing a wave of standout performances from the University of South Florida baseball program.
Jevin Relaford, a senior shortstop, was crowned Defensive Player of the Year after posting a .961 fielding percentage, batting .337 with 59 hits, 30 RBI, ten doubles, three triples and a home run, and stealing 31 bases — a tally that ties him for sixth on the school’s all‑time stolen‑base list.
Utility player Matt Rose and catcher Lance Trippel earned second‑team honors, with Rose batting .301 while maintaining a .938 fielding percentage and Trippel combining a .989 fielding percentage with a .304 average.
Freshmen made a strong impression as well; Michael Senay was named D1 Baseball’s Midseason Top Freshman after being selected American Conference Pitcher of the Week twice, while Dominic Pontbriant finished 4‑0 with a 3.42 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. Jack Lutz also earned a spot on the All‑Freshman Team.
The recognitions reflect the program’s growing depth and the coaching staff’s ability to develop talent across the roster.
Looking Ahead
As the team prepares for the next season, the award winners are expected to play key roles in the Bulls’ pursuit of conference contention, while the university looks to build on the momentum generated by these individual achievements.