Bulls Continue Dominance In BIG EAST With Series Sweep Of  DePaul

TAMPA, Fla. (April 30, 2006) ? On senior day in its home season finale, the University of South Florida softball team sent its senior class out on a high note, as the Bulls recorded their first all-time league series victory against DePaul, sweeping the Blue Demons, 4-2, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at the USF Softball Field.

In game one, USF jumped out to the early lead, scoring two runs thanks to a shaky DePaul defense. A leadoff double by Britta Giddens and a walk by Samantha Ray put runners at first and second base. With Tiffany Stewart at bat, Depaul's pitcher Stephanie Blagaich threw the pitch into the dirt. The catcher picked up the ball and tried to throw to third as the runners were advancing, but the ball sailed into left field, scoring Giddens. After Stewart drew a walk, Ashley Bullion came up to bat and hit a grounder to the second baseman, who threw over the first baseman's head to score the final run of the inning.

The Bulls (44-21, 14-2 BIG EAST) continued to add to their lead in the lead in the third and fourth inning, scoring a run in each to take a 4-0 lead. Krista Holle knocked in a run off of a double in the third inning and Meghan Kowal drove in a run off a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

DePaul (27-19, 9-9 BIG EAST) would not go without a fight, ending the shutout and cutting the lead down to 4-2. With a runner on first, a single and a USF throwing error put Blue Demon runners at second and third. Kara Amundson came up to the plate and generated the offense for DePaul, hitting a two-RBI double. A walk put the tying run on base and USF pitcher Cristi Ecks was called out of the bullpen to close out the game and got the final two outs on a pop up and a strikeout.

Bree Spence got the win, getting the start in the circle and improving her record to 20-7. In her six and one-thirds innings of work, she allowed two runs on five hits while posting seven Ks. Only one of the runs allowed in the game was earned for Spence.

Game two featured a battle in the circle between starting pitchers Ecks and DePaul's Tracie Adix. Through the top of the fifth inning both pitchers kept the game scoreless and combined for three hits.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bulls got their bats going and got to pitcher Adix, taking a 3-0 lead. A walk and a fielder's choice put runners at first and second for Laura Wolf, who knocked in USF's first run of the game off a double to left center. With runners at second and third, Kelsey Zorc singled to the shortstop, who still threw to first base which caused the ball to sail past the first baseman. Two runs crossed home plate on the play, and Zorc was credited with an RBI.

For the second time of the day, DePaul would not go with out a fight and tried to make a comeback in the top of the seventh. A leadoff single by Sandy Vojik and a USF error allowed the Blue Demons to score their first run of the game, 3-1, with two outs on the board. Another misplay put a runner third base for the tying run at the plate, but Ecks closed out the game forcing Amber Polensky to fly out, ending the game in the Bulls' favor.

Ecks (19-11) got the complete-game victory, dishing out only four hits and one run while striking out six. Adix scattered five hits in six innings of work while posting three Ks.

Prior to the start of game one, seniors Nicole Christensen, Sarah Watson, Tiffany Stewart, Samantha Ray, Christie Chapman and Krista Holle were honored for their career achievements at USF.

USF will conclude its regular season when it hits the road to face Villanova on Saturday and Rutgers on Sunday.