> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # After 18-3 start, USF postseason hopes are on life support - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/after-18-3-start-usf-postseason-hopes/ - Published: 2026-05-13T13:30:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T15:45:13.000Z - Description: The Bulls lackluster play against American foes has them in danger of missing the American Conference Tournament in Clearwater - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 Two months ago, the Bulls were rolling on the diamond. USF brought an 18-3 record into American Conference play. They looked destined to be one of the top teams in the conference and to be playing meaningful games in the American tournament and even the NCAA Tournament. Oh, how things have changed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/bca9cda0-3753-417b-b88d-e43e2f52cd6c_4255x2837-jpeg.jpg) Vanessa Wenzl | Bay Area Examiner Sunday’s loss against Tulane dropped the Bulls to 30-20 overall and 9-15 against American Conference foes. USF currently sits outside the top eight of the American standings, meaning it is in great danger of missing the conference tournament entirely. If USF misses out on the American tournament, it will be the second time in three seasons it has not qualified for postseason play. The tournament is played at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, approximately 40 minutes away from USF’s campus. With one conference series remaining, the Bulls need to win all three of their games against Wichita State this weekend and have Tulane or Charlotte lose its final series of the regular season. If USF wins two of its three games against the Shockers, it will need either Tulane or Charlotte to be swept. USF has lost its last five series in conference play and 12 of its last 18 games overall. It is a far cry from its strong finish in Mitch Hannahs’ first season last year, when the Bulls won four of their final five series. Hannahs’ pitching staff has seen a massive drop-off in conference play. The Bulls have a 6.17 ERA in conference play. USF has allowed 27 home runs during that stretch, the third most in the American. Freshman pitcher Michael Senay was one of the nation’s premier pitchers early this year, allowing just eight earned runs in his first eight starts. He has allowed 17 earned runs in his last four starts and is averaging just under 4.2 innings pitched per game during that stretch. Other than Senay, the Bulls have struggled to find consistency with their pitching staff. Junior pitcher Edwin Alicea is the only other player on the team who has reached double-digit starts this season. However, in the middle of April, he was moved to the bullpen because of inconsistent play. His last six appearances have come in relief. Seven different Bulls have made starts in conference play. USF is allowing an average of 1.56 baserunners per inning against league foes. American teams have a .282 batting average against the Bulls. By comparison, USF’s overall WHIP and batting average against are 1.32 and .248. A constant struggle for USF this season has been a lack of pop. The Bulls have hit just 22 home runs this season, the fewest in the conference. Their opponents have hit 23 more home runs than they have this season, the biggest home run deficit in the American. Senior Nathan Earley leads the team with five home runs this season. The Bulls do have 100 doubles this season, the second most in the American. USF’s offense overall has been middling during league play as well. The Bulls rank in the bottom half of the American in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. One positive is the Bulls’ bats have heated up. They are averaging nine runs per game over their last six games. However, USF is just 2-4 during that stretch. USF will return to Red McEwen Field this weekend with little margin for error. The Bulls are 21-8 at home this season. USF’s plummet down the American standings has been startling. Mitch Hannahs and the Bulls are one weekend away from facing some major questions this offseason.