TAMPA, Fla. (March 22, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team extended its win streak to four games, shutting out Towson University, 3-0, 3-0, in non-conference doubleheader action Wednesday night at the USF Softball Field.
In game one, a pitching duel between USF's Bree Spence and Towson's Jillian Kiley held the game scoreless until the Bulls got their offense going in the bottom of the fourth inning. Britta Giddens led off the inning with a double to left field and a bunt single by Samantha Ray put runners at the corners for USF. Christie Chapman came up to bat and hit a single to the gap in left-center, scoring Giddens from third base, 1-0.
USF (25-16) added two more runs to the board in the fifth inning, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Back-to-back singles by Jessica Landau and Liz Howell followed by a Carly Griffin sacrifice bunt put runners in scoring position. Giddens and Chapman continued their solid offensive play form the previous inning, each knocking in a run to add to the Bulls' lead.
Spence (9-5) got the win, posting her third shutout of the season. In her complete-game victory, the sophomore scattered five hits, striking out five while not allowing a walk.
Kiley (4-6) didn't allow a hit until USF got its offense going in the fourth inning, in which it proceeded to tally six hits and three runs off the Tigers' (11-14) starter.
In game two, the Bulls opened up the scoring in the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead. After Ray reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base, a triple to right field by Chapman put USF's first run on the board. With one out, Tiffany Stewart flied out to centerfield, driving in Chapman off the sacrifice.
USF added another run to its lead in the sixth inning when, with a runner at third base, freshman Caitlin Schneider tallied her first-career RBI, knocking in a run off a bunt single, 3-0.
Freshman Cristi Ecks (11-9) allowed only two-hits in her complete-game shutout, holding the opposing team scoreless in her second start in as many days. The Manassas, Va., native posted 10 strikeouts, including retiring seven-straight batters on Ks to end the game.
In its last 26 innings, USF has held its opponents to only one run.
The Bulls will conclude tournament action when they travel to Macon, Ga., to play in the Mercer Invitational Friday through Sunday.
