TAMPA, Fla. (March 2, 2007) ? The University of South Florida softball team had a tough time in its opening game of the Louisville Slugger Tournament, losing to Auburn, 9-0, in six innings on Friday night at the USF Softball Field.

The Bulls (13-7) struggled to get anything going offensively from the start and only ended up recording a total of two hits. USF's best chance on the offensive end was in the bottom of the third inning when it loaded up the bases on two hits and an error, but the Bulls couldn't bring anyone home.

USF used a total of three pitchers in the game and they gave up nine runs ? only six were earned ? on nine hits. Courtney Mosch (4-2) got the start and was credited with the loss, giving up four runs on four hits in two and two-thirds innings. Kristen Gordon pitched one and one-third innings and allowed only one hit while walking two. Bree Spence was the last USF pitcher in the circle and allowed five runs on four hits in two innings.

The Bulls also struggled on the defensive end, committing four errors.

USF will return to action on Saturday facing New Mexico State at 4 p.m. and Utah at 6 p.m. The revised tournament schedule is below.

Saturday, March 3, 2007
Central Michigan vs. Auburn                         9 a.m.
Central Michigan vs. New Mexico State       11 a.m.
Maryland vs. Auburn                                    1 p.m.
USF vs. New Mexico State                          4 p.m.
USF vs. Utah                                               6 p.m.
Maryland vs. Utah                                        8 p.m.

Sunday, March 4, 2007
Auburn vs. New Mexico State                      9 a.m.
Utah vs. Central Michigan                             11 a.m.
USF vs. Maryland                                        1:30 p.m.
USF vs. Central Michigan                             3:30 p.m.