TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2006) ? Despite having to wait through an hour rain delay and deal with gusting winds that carried the ball all over the place, the University of South Florida softball team (1-2) dropped its second game in as many days, losing to Mississippi State, 2-0, in day two of the Best Western Invitational at the USF Softball Field.
After a pitching duel between starters MSU's Ragan Blake and USF's Kasey Cash only allowed three hits and kept the game scoreless for three innings, Mississippi State (3-0) managed to take advantage of a USF misplay and put two runs on the board, 2-0.
After loading up the bases with only one out, Blair Geddings came up to bat and hit a grounder to Cash, who threw to catcher Sarah Watson for the force out at home. Watson tried to throw to first to get Geddings out for the double play, but the throw was high and two runs scored, giving the Bulldogs the 2-0 lead.
USF's best scoring chance came in the first inning when it loaded up the bases with two outs, however it couldn't capitalize as the runners were stranded, leaving USF scoreless.
Cash (0-1) was charged with the loss, only allowing two hits while not being charged with an earned run in three and two-thirds innings of work. Blake (2-0) picked up her second-straight shutout of the year, only allowing four hits while striking out seven batters.
The Bulls will continue tournament action when they face Western Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night. The winner will advance to the championship game on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
