Tigers Stifled by South Florida Pitching in Series Finale

Saturday, April 4

Tampa, Fla.

12:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

10-20, 3-8

South Florida

24-8, 5-4

MEMPHIS

South Florida

Photo by: Axel Halvarson

Tigers Stifled by South Florida Pitching in Series Finale

Apr 04, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Memphis (10-20, 3-6 American) baseball team was held off the scoreboard in a 5-0 loss to South Florida (24-8, 5-4 American) on Saturday afternoon at USF Baseball Stadium.

South Florida used timely hitting and a dominant outing on the mound to secure the series victory, limiting the Tigers to just four hits on the day.

Memphis had a few opportunities offensively but went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and left five runners on base. Brady McAbee, Cade Hitson, Javon Hernandez and Freddy Rodriguez each recorded a hit for the Tigers.

On the mound, Memphis starter David Case worked 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four. The Bulls added insurance runs late to pull away.

South Florida's pitching staff was the story, as starter Michael Senay tossed 7.0 shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out three to earn the win.

Memphis will return home for a couple days before making the trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas to face the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Tuesday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

South Florida struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Pruitt doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI single from Matt Rose to make it 1-0.
The Bulls added another run in the second inning on a solo home run from Jake Kulikowski, extending the lead to 2-0.
South Florida pushed the lead to 3-0 in the sixth inning when Bradke Lohry delivered an RBI single to score Jevin Relaford.
The Bulls added two more runs in the eighth inning, taking advantage of a bases-loaded situation with a fielder's choice RBI and a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 5-0.
Memphis was unable to generate a rally late, as South Florida closed out the shutout victory.

NOTABLES

Freddy Rodriguez stole another base for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 72 steals, which ranks in the top 40 nationally.
- Rodriguez is 24-for-27 on stolen base attempts this season which leads the American Conference and ranks top 10 in the nation.
Memphis starting pitcher David Case provided a solid start, keeping the Tigers in the game early.
- He pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four.
- Case has gone six plus innings in his last two starts, finding his grove after struggling early in the season.
- Case leads the Tigers with 36 strikeouts this season.
RHP Brayden Sanders entered the game in the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning.

SCORING SUMMARY

Bottom 1:
Matt Rose singled, Ryan Pruitt scored.
Memphis 0, South Florida 1

Bottom 2:
Jake Kulikowski homered.
Memphis 0, South Florida 2

Bottom 6:
Bradke Lohry singled, Jevin Relaford scored.
Memphis 0, South Florida 3

Bottom 8:
Matt Rose reached on a fielder's choice, Jacob Green scored.
Juan Correa hit a sacrifice fly, Ryan Pruitt scored.
Memphis 0, South Florida 5

UP NEXT

Memphis will return home and then travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas for a Tuesday midweek game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.