> ## 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. # USF Stays Alive in AAC Tournament With 4–3 Win Over Wichita State - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/usf-stays-alive-in-aac-tournament/ - Published: 2025-05-23T16:08:22.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T15:47:26.000Z - Description: The Bulls will play Charlotte in an elimination game on Friday - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 CLEARWATER, Fla. — The University of South Florida kept its season alive Wednesday afternoon with a 4–3 win over Wichita State in the American Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament. The win sets up an elimination matchup against Charlotte on Friday at BayCare Ballpark. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/97e0d64b-34ba-4426-b620-b78636d97859_1820x953-jpeg.jpg) Photo by Austin Vogl | The Bay Area Examiner With the score tied 3–3 in the top of the eighth inning and a runner on, the Bulls needed a defensive spark. They got it from senior shortstop Bradke Lohry and first baseman Carter Murphy. Wichita State junior Jaden Gustafson grounded a ball up the middle. Lohry ranged to his left, dove to field it on a hop, and quickly got to his feet to fire a one-hop throw to first. Murphy kept his foot on the bag and secured the out to end the inning. The play was later featured as No. 3 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10. https://x.com/usfbaseball/status/1925551197873676463?s=46&t=SIg49pvoOwxt8hgZ5RCUYA The Bulls didn’t waste the momentum. USF junior third baseman Matt Rose led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run — his second of the season — to give the Bulls a 4–3 lead. It turned out to be the game-winner. Rose, a Clearwater native who played high school baseball at Calvary Christian just two miles from BayCare Ballpark, called it a special moment. “Yeah, it was great,” Rose said. “You can probably say I’m not the biggest power hitter, but sometimes I can get into one, and thank goodness today I did.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/6ab1e58e-8130-4cbc-ba03-a33f614d51a9_5506x3671-jpeg.jpg) Photo by Austin Vogl | The Bay Area Examiner Pitching also played a key role in the victory. Senior Jack Nedrow, who transferred from Division II Lee University, delivered 7.1 strong innings, allowing three earned runs. Just one year earlier, Nedrow gave up six earned runs in a postseason start for Lee at the NCAA South Regional in Tampa. This year, on the other side of the bay, Nedrow was determined to make what could have been his final start of the season count. “I was just trying to go out there and give it my all every single pitch and leave it all out there,” Nedrow said. “I’m a senior, and these could have been my last innings pitched, so I just wanted to throw every pitch like it was my last.” Junior reliever Austin Newton finished the game, retiring all five batters he faced to earn the save. “I think the teams that stay composed in the last three innings are the teams that win a lot,” USF head coach Mitch Hannahs said. “We’ve played a lot of close games, and I think that helped us today.” With Wednesday’s win, the Bulls advance to face Charlotte in another elimination game Friday. Charlotte lost to East Carolina, 6–5, on Thursday. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/2f512585-6fc3-45c7-98e2-3ba342d1537e_4394x2929-jpeg.jpg) Photo by Vanessa Wenzl | The Bay Area Examiner USF won the regular-season series against Charlotte in mid-April, taking the first two games by one run each. Charlotte won the finale, 5–3. One potential advantage for USF: Charlotte ace Blake Gillespie, the AAC Pitcher of the Year, threw eight innings in Tuesday’s win over Wichita State. A Friday return is considered unlikely due to the short rest. “I feel good with our bullpen moving forward,” Hannahs said. “I feel good with the fact that Braun can throw again on Saturday, and I feel good knowing that Nedrow could come back on Sunday. So in terms of what lies ahead, I feel pretty good with where our pitching staff is.” Friday’s game against Charlotte will be an elimination game for both teams. First pitch is scheduled for 47 minutes after the conclusion of UTSA vs. FAU. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+. [Subscribe now](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/subscribe)