Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II celebrates after his two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa, FL – Sean Murphy hit two homers and Michael Harris II connected on a 2-run homer in the ninth inning as the Atlanta Braves came back to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field.
Dylan Lee (1-1, 4.05 ERA) earns the win and Raisel Iglesias worked the ninth to pick up his second save as the Braves improve to 4-10 on the season.
Cole Sulser (0-1, 18.00 ERA) takes the loss for the Rays who fall to 6-8. Sulser allowed one of the four homers by Rays relievers. Manuel Rodriguez allowed one and Hunter Bigge allowed a pair. The loss marks the first game the Rays have lost when leading by multiple runs entering the eighth inning since June 22, 2023 against the Kansas City Royals.
Junior Caminero gave the Ray a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first by swatting his second home run of the season. The lead was extended to 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning when Jonathan Aranda walked with the bases loaded.
The Ray had a chance to open the game up in the bottom of the third inning loading the bases with 1-out. After the Aranda walked scored the second run, Christopher Morel struck out looking and Kameron Misner struck out swinging.
Drew Rasmussen delivered five scoreless innings allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking one. The five innings matched a season high and the seven strikeouts set a season high as did his 80 pitches. In a game featuring four home runs served up by Rays pitching, Rasmussen did not allow one. With today’s start he extends his homerless streak to 60.1-IP, the eighth longest in franchise history.
The Rays loaded the bases with nobody out in the home half of the sixth inning but were unable to score. Jose Caballero struck out, Taylor Walls tried to surprise the defense with a bunt but pitcher Rafael Montero came off the mound and threw home for the force out, and Ben Rortvedt followed with groundout to second.
The sting of the missed opportunity was felt when Sean Murphy led off the seventh inning with a homer off Manuel Rodriguez that cut the Rays lead to 2-1. It was Murphy’s second homer on the year. Rodriguez had worked a scoreless sixth inning and struck out Bryan De La Cruz before turning the ball over to Garrett Cleavinger.
Cleavinger struck out pinch-hitter Stuart Fairchild but allowed a single to nine hole hitter Nick Allen and walked the left-handed hitting Michael Harris after being up in the count 0-2. Kevin Cash called to the bullpen for Edwin Uceta to face the dangerous Austin Riley with runners on 1st and 2nd and 2-out. Uceta struck out Riley on three pitches to end the Atlanta threat and maintain the 2-1 Rays lead.
It looked as if the Rays frustration with stranding runner was going to continue in the home half of the seventh. Yandy Diaz opened the frame with a double but Brandon Lowe flew out to left and Junior Caminero struck out. Jonathan Aranda cashed the run in delivering a 2-out RBI single to extend the lead to 3-1.
Hunter Bigge was summoned from the bullpen to protect the lead in the eighth inning. Ozzie Albies delivered a solo homer with 2-out in the top of the eighth to narrow the margin at 3-2. Sean Murphy followed with his second homer of the afternoon to tie the game at 3-3.
Jose Caballero singled and stole second with one out in the eighth. With Taylor Walls batting Caballero was picked off second trying to steal third. It was the third out on the bases on the afternoon for the Rays and to make matters worse, Walls singled to left. Walls himself appeared to have been picked off but a balk was called on Dylan Lee. Danny Jansen, pinch hitting for Ben Rortvedt drew a walk to bring Yandy Diaz to the plate. Unfortunately, Diaz wasn’t able to erase the baserunning gaffe by Caballero and grounded into a fielders choice to end the inning.
Cole Sulser, just recalled from Durham to replace Kevin Kelly, came in to work the top of the ninth. Nick Allen led off with a double that just popped out of a diving Kameron Misner’s glove on the track in right center field. Michael Harris followed with a 2-run homer to put the Braves ahead 5-3. It was Atlanta’s fourth home run of the game, all coming against the Rays bullpen after the sixth inning.
Jonathan Aranda cut the lead to 5-4 with a homer in the ninth. It was Aranda’s second homer of the year. For all the negatives on the bases and in the batters box, Jonathan Aranda was a bright spot. He finished the game 3-for-3 with a pair of walks and three runs driven in. He had an RBI single, a RBI bases loaded walk, and a solo homer in the ninth.
After the game, Kevin Cash spoke about the lack of driving in runs coming away with just a run when loading the bases in the 3rd and 6th innings. “The frustration starts to mount, there’s a big difference between 5-1 and 3-1 and we couldn’t get it there.” Drew Rasmussen continues to believe that the offense will come around suggesting that the Rays are “putting together good at-bats we’re hitting the ball hard.”
Next Up For Rays:
The Rays and Braves finish their three game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:40 p.m. Shane Baz (1-0, 1.38 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays. The Braves counter with left-hander Chris Sale (0-1, 6.75 ERA).
South Florida women’s basketball graduate guard Sammie Puisis has signed a WNBA training camp contract with the Chicago Sky, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Puisis is the 10th Bull in program history to either be drafted or signed to a free agent/training camp contract, and the ninth Bull coached by Head Coach Jose Fernandez.
USF has the potential to have four ProBulls playing in the WNBA this season: Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx), Kitija Laksa (Pheonix Mercury), Elena Tsineke (Las Vegas Aces – Training Camp Contract), and Puisis (Chicago Sky – Training Camp Contract).
GRADUATE GUARD SAMMIE PUISIS SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Ranked 5th nationally in Total 3PM (106 3PM) & 6th in 3PM Per Game (3.2 3PM avg.).
Puisis’ 28 points against Tennessee in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament is tied for the second-most points by a Bull in an NCAA Tournament Game (Kitja Laksa vs Buffalo 3/17/18). The five triples by Puisis tie the single-game NCAA Tournament record by a USF performer.
Named to USBWA Ann Myers Drysdale Award Midseason Watch List.
Named USBWA National Player of the Week (Dec. 24) and AP Player of the Week Honorable Mention (Dec. 24).
Led with career-best 34 points (6 3PM) in win against Memphis (Feb. 22).
Led all scorers with 23 points (3-3 3FG, 8-8 FT) in upset of No. 9/10 Duke (Dec. 21).
Puisis is the third Bull in program history to have 20+ points in a win against an AP Top-10 opponent and the second-ever Bull to shoot 100% from 3-point range in a win against an AP Top-10 opponent. (Duke, Dec. 21).
WNBA training camps begin on Sunday, April 27 and the 2025 regular season kicks off on Friday, May 16.
2025-26 SEASON TICKETS Bulls fans, it’s time to lock in your seats for another exciting season of USF Basketball! The 2025-26 season promises competitive matchups and unforgettable moments at the Yuengling Center. Buy your season tickets here.
FOLLOW US For complete coverage of USF women’s basketball, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
TICKETS Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL South Florida women’s basketball has made 19 postseason tournament appearances and had 10 NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez‘s 25 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided the Bulls to 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2008-09 WNIT championship, and has won 485 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
Buccaneers fans at Raymond James Stadium / via buccaneers.com
By – Bucs Report
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the top-rated NFL teams whose performance is followed by football lovers in the US and far beyond its borders. There’s still time before the season begins, but both fans and bettors are already preparing for upcoming matches, using the NFL offseason changes overview to track how teams like the Buccaneers have adjusted their lineups. Learning more about the current roster and emerging players who’ve recently joined the Buccaneers is nothing but exciting, so let’s have a closer look at the most promising athletes in 2025.
Mike Evans, Wide Receiver
The athlete has a long history with the Buccaneers, having been with the team since 2014 and playing a key role in many of their victories. Known as one of the NFL’s elite receivers, Evans is a frequent highlight on American betting sites by NonGamStopBookmakers.net, where his individual performance odds attract a lot of attention. He remains a top pick among betting lovers, especially those looking for standout players each week.
Considering the growing popularity of the NFL outside the American borders, many British residents should consider wagering on Mike Evans. While traditional sports betting continues to thrive, the rise of independent esports betting shows how fans are exploring new ways to engage with their favourite games and players. The athlete is a veteran of the Buccaneers who form the driving force of the team’s offence. His outstanding abilities include spectacular catches and precise touchdowns, and fans anticipate even better results during the 2025 season.
Chris Godwin, Wide Receiver
Chris Godwin joined the Buccaneers in 2017 and quickly became a favourite due to his unique football talents. The wide receiver perfectly complements Mike Evans, and the two players regularly lead the club to loud victories. His performances and leadership are often discussed in the NFL podcast by Bucs Report, reflecting his impact on the team and the league. Godwin re-signed his contract in 2025, meaning he will spend at least three more years with the FC, which has become an update delighting all NFL fans. Chris is the Buccaneers’ veteran who is aware of the team culture and knows how to surprise viewers when entering the field.
Lavonte David, Linebacker
This athlete attracted the attention of football fans for many years, and his partnership with the Buccaneers is among the longest. Lavonte became an FC member in 2012. He has been forming a strong team defence for over a decade and is not planning to give up his task this season. Just like choosing a casino not on GamStop for more flexible gameplay, relying on David’s consistent performance brings added value to betting strategies. He shows perfect skills in reading the game and predicting rivals’ tactics, so his opinion is critical when building winning strategies. The athlete is an icon for many football lovers, and betting fans also shouldn’t ignore his performance on bookmaker sites, as it’s really promising this year.
Jamel Dean, Cornerback
Dean is a cornerback known for his skills and the ability to cover the entire field. The athlete seems to be in different places simultaneously, which is one of the reasons why football fans closely follow his actions. The player has already spent several seasons with the Buccaneers – he joined the team in 2019, and his persistence and athleticism are worth special attention. Jamel Dean is among the athletes writing modern NFL history, and we are confident that he will impress viewers with his defensive abilities during the following matches.
Haason Reddick, Linebacker
It may seem that only team veterans are worth attention, which is far from the case. Haason Reddick, a newcomer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is projected to bring a new dimension to the FC’s defence. The linebacker has recently signed a one-year contract, and fans closely follow his performance to understand whether he will help the club become more successful during upcoming NFL matches. He previously played several seasons for the Arizona Cardinals; his speed and ability to adjust to any situation improve the team’s results and offer more beneficial positions.
SirVocea Dennis, Linebacker
The linebacker is beginning his second season with the Buccaneers and has a massive opportunity to show consistent performance in the upcoming NFL contests. During his first matches with the team, he held secondary roles, but this year, the FC management aims to let him take more responsibilities in defence. Fans are inspired to follow his development in the league and are confident he’ll unlock his potential soon. SirVocea can be a breakout Buccaneers player this season, so don’t miss any updates about him.
Trey Palmer, Wide Receiver
Palmer joined the Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL Draft; the young athlete previously played for Louisiana State University and entered the league last year. He can potentially become a powerful force in the team’s offence, as his speed and striking abilities are the key to success. Trey is known as a versatile receiver, and fans are confident he didn’t have the chance to show all his talents during the previous season. Following his growth is a thrilling adventure, as many football lovers project he’ll become the leading Buccaneers player soon.
Final Insight
The 2025 NFL season promises to be exciting for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, planning to boost their performance with a blend of veterans and younger players. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will continue leading the team forward, while new members will have to adjust to the situation and try to bring consistent success. Fans’ attention is specifically drawn to Trey Palmer and SirVocea Dennis, who have yet to unlock their full potential on the field.
The University of Tampa women’s lacrosse team has climbed to No. 2 in this week’s USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20, continuing its rise and solidifying its position as one of the top contenders to repeat as national champions.
With a 14–1 record, the Spartans climbed two spots after notching back-to-back top-10 wins, including a 17–8 victory over No. 6 Lynn on Senior Day. Peyton Howell led the charge with seven goals and three assists, pushing Tampa’s winning streak to four games since its only loss of the season on March 29, in overtime. The Spartans now share the top spot in the Sunshine State Conference standings with No. 3 Florida Southern and No. 4 Embry-Riddle, setting the stage for a dramatic finish to the regular season as all three teams are viable for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming SSC post season.
Tampa has played seven teams that are currently ranked this week and holds a 6–1 record in those matchups. The Spartans earned wins over No. 3 Florida Southern, No. 5 Maryville, No. 6 Lynn, No. 7 Adelphi, No. 9 Saint Leo, No. 10 Pace, and No. 13 UIndy. Their lone loss came at the hands of No. 4 Embry-Riddle, a team they could meet again in postseason play.
The Sunshine State Conference continues to dominate the national landscape, with four five ranked in the Top 10: No. 2 Tampa, No. 3 Florida Southern, No. 4 Embry-Riddle, No. 6 Lynn, and No. 9 Saint Leo. These programs have combined for a remarkable 64–11 record, further underscoring the SSC’s reputation as one of the strongest conferences.