The Bulls entered a high‑stakes three‑game series against Wichita State with the American Conference Tournament on the horizon, knowing that each win could shift the momentum dramatically.
Nathan Earley delivered the spark, launching a two‑run homer in the bottom of the sixth that turned a tight contest into a 4‑1 lead.
A decisive sixth inning
Kaden Smith silenced the Shockers over four frames, striking out seven while keeping them hitless, while Dominic Pontbriant collected the win with three solid innings.
Edwin Alicea sealed the game with a save in the final two innings, capping a pitching performance that fanned out 10 strikeouts and yielded just one run on two hits.
Implications for the tournament
The victory not only boosted South Florida’s standings but also coincided with setbacks for Tulane and Charlotte, their first‑game losses opening a window for the Bulls to climb.
With the series now poised for a potential sweep, the team looks to carry this momentum into the next matchup, hoping the early‑season surge translates into a deep run in the conference tournament.