TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — Juan Correa drove in three runs, including a go-ahead solo home run, and a parade of South Florida pitchers combined to strike out 12 batters as the Bulls overpowered the Southern Jaguars 9-2 in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at USF Baseball Stadium.

The victory improved South Florida’s record to 13-3, while Southern dropped to 3-11.

The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded in the bottom of the fourth inning, turning a tight contest into a comfortable Bulls lead. South Florida entered the frame leading 3-2 but broke the game open with a four-run outburst, capitalizing on patient at-bats and timely hitting.

The rally began with a walk to Jackson Relaford, who then stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Ryan Pruitt’s RBI double. After a pitching change brought in Southern’s Genesis Prosper, the Bulls continued to apply pressure. Matt Rose brought Pruitt home with a sacrifice fly. Following two more walks to load the bases, Correa delivered the decisive blow, a two-run single to center field that scored Bobby Betancourt and Ben Lohry, stretching the lead to 7-2.

Correa, the Bulls’ first baseman, was the offensive catalyst, finishing 3 for 4. His solo homer to left field in the third inning had given South Florida a 3-2 lead it would not relinquish.

South Florida’s pitching staff, a strength all season, was dominant after the fourth inning. Starter Landen Yorek worked four innings, allowing two runs on three hits. The bullpen took over from there, with Kaden Smith providing a masterful middle-relief performance. Smith pitched 3 2/3 hitless innings, striking out eight Jaguars batters. Dominic Pontbriant and the Bulls’ staff closed out the final 1 1/3 innings without allowing a hit.

Southern managed only five hits total, with two coming from first baseman Jaylon Lucky, who also drove in a run. The Jaguars took an early 2-0 lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Lucky and an RBI single by Ryan Hunter, but the offense stalled against the Bulls’ relievers.

South Florida added insurance runs in the eighth inning on an RBI triple by pinch-hitter Jonathan Lutz and a sacrifice fly from Cole Cabbage.

The game was the second of a three-game weekend series between the teams, following South Florida’s 6-1 win on Friday. The Bulls’ offense produced 11 hits and drew 10 walks, while their pitchers limited Southern’s opportunities despite issuing seven free passes.

The teams were set to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday afternoon.