CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 11, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team struggled against No. 2 Tennessee, losing 8-0 in six innings on Saturday in the Gold Bracket quarterfinals of the adidas Invitational. With the loss, the Bulls were eliminated from the tournament being held at the EC Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

USF (15-13) errors caught up with the team in the bottom of the second inning. The Bulls turned a double play to open up the inning and looked to be on their way to end it quickly. Tennessee took advantage of starter Bree Spence, scoring a run and loading up the bases off two singles and a USF error. A bases-loaded walk accompanied by a two-RBI double and a two-RBI single gave the Lady Vols the 6-0 advantage.

Spence (6-4), who was pulled in the second inning after giving up the runs, gave up seven hits while only being charged with one earned run in her loss.

Tennessee (19-0) pitcher Monica Abbott (12-0) stifled the Bulls' batters, throwing a no hitter while striking out 13 batters. Abbott had a perfect game going until the top of the sixth inning when Sarah Watson came up to bat and was hit by a pitch, giving the Bulls their lone base runner of the game.

After USF reliever Danielle Urbanik came into the game in the second inning, she held Tennessee scoreless until two more Bulls' misplays allowed runs to score in the fifth and sixth inning to end the game due to the mercy rule, 8-0.

USF will look to get back on the winning track when it hosts the Spring Break Invitational on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Bulls will face Buffalo at 4 p.m. and Canisius at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and will take on Fordham at 4 p.m. and Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.