TAMPA, Fla. (March 15, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team first defeated Fordham, 5-1, and then went on to beat Northern Illinois, 9-1, in the Championship Game of the Spring Break Classic on Wednesday night at the USF Softball Field.
In game one Fordham jumped out to a one-run lead in the top of the first inning. The Bulls answered back, tying it up in the bottom of the second, 1-1. A single by Krista Holle and a double by Jessica Landau put runners in scoring position with one out. Laura Wolf came up to bat and hit a fly ball to left field, scoring the run from third.
In the third inning USF took the lead, 2-1. With two outs on the board Christie Chapman drew a walk, which would cost the starting pitcher a run as Tiffany Stewart hit a double to left center, knocking in the go-ahead run.
The Bulls kept their offense going into the fourth inning, taking a 4-1 lead. With runners at first and second, Carly Griffin knocked the ball into the gap in right centerfield, hitting a double while driving in two runs.
With one swing of the bat USF took a 5-1 advantage, as Stewart hit a solo shot to left center.
Nicole Christensen (2-1) came in the game in the fourth inning and only allowed one hit in three and two-thirds innings of work. The senior struck out three, gave up only one walk and didn't allow a run en route to her second win in as many days.
Danielle Urbanik got the start but was relieved in the fourth after loading up the bases with one out. In her three and one-third innings of work, she only gave up two hits while allowing one run, which wasn't earned.
In game two Cristi Ecks (8-7) had a solid performance for the Bulls in the circle, leading USF to its third tournament championship of the season, 9-1. In her five innings of work, the freshman scattered seven hits while striking out five batters.
The Bulls quickly loaded up the bases in the first inning. With two outs on the board, Ashley Bullion came up to the plate and gave USF a 2-0 lead, knocking in two runs off a single to right center.
USF took a 5-0 lead in the top of the second inning thanks to a three-run homer to left field by Chapman.
The Huskies tried to make a move in the bottom of the third inning, loading up the bases with only one out. Ecks came up big for USF, ending the inning by striking out Elyse Jamrozy and forcing Michelle Nendza into a ground out.
Britta Giddens came up to bat in the fourth inning and put USF up 7-0, hitting her first-career home run ? a two-run blast over the left-field fence.
The Bulls sealed the deal in the top of the sixth, 9-0, scoring two runs off a Chapman triple and a Stewart double.
Northern Illinois ended USF's shutout in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring a run, 9-1, but the deficit was too large to overcome as USF posted the win in six innings.
The Bulls will continue tournament action Friday through Sunday when they host the Speedline Invitational at the Greco Softball Complex and the USF Softball Field.
