TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The South Florida Bulls erupted for seven runs over the fifth and seventh innings to overcome an early four-run deficit and defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini 9-4 in the season opener for both teams Friday at USF Baseball Stadium.

Illinois capitalized on opportunistic early offense to build a lead. After stranding two runners in the first, the Fighting Illini struck in the third. Matt Farina led off the inning with a solo home run to right field. The rally continued as Joe Zebig was hit by a pitch, and later, with two outs, Wyatt Johannes delivered an RBI single to center. Another run scored on a South Florida fielding error, giving Illinois a 4-0 advantage.

South Florida starter Edwin Alicea settled after the rocky third, and the Bulls’ offense began its methodical comeback against Illinois pitcher Ben Plumley in the bottom of the frame. With two on and two out, Drew Kulikowski sliced the deficit in half with a two-run single to right center, making it 4-2.

The Bulls completed the rally and seized the lead for good in the fifth. Jevin Relaford walked and scored on a triple by Rafael Pruitt. Pruitt then came home on a game-tying single from Jackson Brenczewski. After a walk and a pitching change, a fielder’s choice and a critical Illinois throwing error allowed Brenczewski to score the go-ahead run, putting South Florida up 5-4.

Illinois clawed one back in the sixth on an RBI double by Zebig, cutting the lead to 5-4, but left the potential tying run in scoring position.

The game was decisively broken open by South Florida in the seventh. The Bulls sent 10 men to the plate, scoring four times, all with two outs. The inning was fueled by Illinois miscues and timely hitting. With the bases loaded, Bradke Lohry drew a walk to force in a run. Jacob Green followed with a fielder’s choice that brought in another. Jevin Relaford then delivered the crushing blow, a two-run triple down the right-field line, extending the Bulls’ lead to 9-4.

The most important part of the game was South Florida’s two-out execution in the pivotal seventh inning. After an error extended the frame, the Bulls drew a walk and produced two key two-out hits, transforming a narrow 5-4 lead into a comfortable five-run advantage, effectively sealing the victory.

South Florida reliever Nolan Bernard earned the win after pitching three innings of one-run ball in relief of Alicea. Edwin Alicea did not factor in the decision. Ben Plumley took the loss for Illinois. The Bulls outhit the Fighting Illini 10-6.

Matt Farina led Illinois with two hits, including a home run and a double. For South Florida, Drew Kulikowski had two hits and two RBIs, while Jevin Relaford drove in two with his triple.

The loss marked the first for Illinois under new head coach Matt Bolt. The Fighting Illini begin the season 0-1, while South Florida starts 1-0. The teams continue their three-game series Saturday afternoon.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Illinois with a 56.40 percent probability to win.