USF Athletics

Veteran Bulls Share Their Excitement for Season at Media Day

January 30, 2018

PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS
 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, JAN. 30, 2018 – With the home opener right around the corner, USF softball shared its excitement for the season with the Bay Area media on Tuesday.

Head coach Ken Eriksen said he's been very pleased with USF's progress this preseason while senior outfielder Astin Donovan, his media day co-pilot, likes what she's been seeing and hearing on the field.

"I'm impressed with our communication so far. We have really focused on team dynamics this year and I think it's showing on the field," Donovan said. "We trust each other, we know who is going to be where and I think that's what's going to ride us through the season the best."

Donovan, an NFCA All-Mideast Region selection in 2017, is one of 10 starters returning to a veteran team that knows what to expect. After capturing The American's regular season title in 2016, USF is hungry to get back to NCAA Regional action and the Bulls have already created momentum by getting ahead of schedule from a team standpoint this preseason.

"There's a lot of game experience that we have coming back. Not only the senior class and junior class, but the sophomore class. I'm looking forward to it," Eriksen said. "I'm just trying to stay out of their way, in all honesty. The pitchers are spot-on at this point and it's time to play somebody else in a different uniform."

Eriksen's eager Bulls finally get their wish on Thursday, Feb. 8, when USF starts the season with a home game against Illinois State. Also on the horizon are tests against three NCAA tournament teams, a Super Regional opponent and the Women's College World Series runner-up that will help get the Bulls primed for the postseason. View the complete season schedule HERE.

Eriksen Approaching 900 Wins
Entering his 22^nd season as the Bulls' head coach, Ken Eriksen has accomplished a great deal in his USF career that continues to reach heights.

Eriksen is only five more victories away from 900 wins and naturally the team-first personality hasn't been paying much attention to his huge milestone ahead.

"When they happen, they happen and I get it. It's nice to celebrate it with your university because they've all been at one place and that's rare, too," he said. "It says a lot about the teams from 1997 all the way through 2017 and beyond. They're all part of that type of stuff and they all share in those type of things. I've been fortunate to be in one place for a long time."

Under Eriksen's watch, USF has advanced to the postseason 12 times, captured five conference titles and won 30-plus games in each of the past seven seasons. Back in 2012, Eriksen led the program to its first appearance in the Women's College World Series.

"To be successful is because of the people that we've had," Eriksen said. "… It's about recruiting good people, coachable people, and people that bring their family values here."
 
About USF Softball
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.