GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2006) ? With the game tied 2-2 going into extra innings, the University of South Florida softball team gave up the winning run in the bottom of the eighth, losing to in-state rival Florida, 3-2.
After USF (2-4) took the early lead and Florida (3-3) tied it up, 2-2, in the fourth inning, the game remained scoreless and went into extra innings.
The Bulls were unable to get on the board in the eighth thanks to solid work by Florida starting pitcher Lindsay Littlejohn. She pitched her first-career complete game and picked up her first win of the season (1-2).
With its third pitcher in the game, USF's Kasey Cash started the bottom of the eighth and gave up back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. Kim Waleszonia came up to bat and hit a grounder to second baseman Kattrina Dowd, who bobbled the ball. The throw to home was just late and the winning run scored to give the Gators the 3-2 win.
USF starter Bree Spence only gave up two runs in four innings of work and struck out five. After the Gators tied up the game, freshman Cristi Ecks made a relief appearance in the fifth inning and only gave up two hits and no earned runs in three innings of work. The eighth inning featured Cash, who was credited with the loss (0-2), however was not charged an earned run.
The Bulls had their chances to score, but couldn't bring their runners home, leaving 12 on base in the game.
“It was a good college softball game,” coach Ken Eriksen said. “I thought both pitching staffs did a real nice job, and I was very, very happy with freshman Cristi Ecks. I can't wait for this weekend because if we play any type of softball that we played tonight and get a good break and not hit a ball at somebody, I think we'll rip off a bunch of wins in a row.”
USF got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Krista Holle drew a lead-off walk and Christie Chapman bunted to get on base, putting runners at first and second. After a groundout advanced the runners, freshman Ashley Bullion hit an RBI single, scoring Holle. The Bulls eventually loaded up the bases with two outs, but a grounder to second base ended USF's scoring chance.
In the top of the third USF added to its lead thanks to All-American Tiffany Stewart, who hit her first homer run of the year ? a single-shot over to left-center ? to give the Bulls a 2-0 lead.
The Gators evened up the score in the bottom of the fourth. After left fielder Lindsay Cameron led off the inning hitting hit her 30th-career home run, an RBI single by Littlejohn scored the runner at second to tie the game up.
USF will return home this weekend when it hosts the Wilson Invitational at the USF Softball Field Saturday through Monday. The Bulls will take the field on Saturday to face Temple at 2 p.m.
