TAMPA, Fla. (March 18, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team advanced to the championship bracket of the Speedline Invitational by defeating Ohio University, 5-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Greco Softball Complex.

Bree Spence (7-4) led the way for USF in the circle, only dishing out only one hit in her six innings of work. The sophomore, combining with Nicole Christensen for the shutout, struck out three batters and didn't allow a walk in her victory. 

USF (20-15) got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. After the Bulls got runners on first and second base with two outs, Britta Giddens hit a chopper to the shortstop, who couldn't control the ball and caused it to roll into centerfield, scoring a run.

The Bulls continued their offensive effort into the next inning, adding another run to their lead, 2-0. Christie Chapman and Tiffany Stewart opened up the inning with singles and were moved over thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Ashley Bullion. Jessica Landau came up to bat and knocked in a run off a ground out to the shortstop.

Landau kept her bat going into the fifth inning, driving in her second RBI of the game off a single. With runners at first and second with two outs, another Ohio fielding error by the shortstop allowed the Bulls to score two additional, giving them a 5-0 lead.

USF will play the No. 1 seed in the “B” Pool at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.