Box Score: USF 4, No. 5 Tennessee 1 | Best Western Tourney Central | Photo Gallery

TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of South Florida softball team (6-2) began the second day of the Best Western Tournament with a 4-1 win over No. 5 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon in Tampa.

It is the highest ranked team the Bulls have defeated since 2001 and the second highest ranked team USF has ever defeated. USF knocked off a No. 4 Washington during the 2001 regular season and No. 4 Alabama during the NCAA postseason that year.

The Bulls hold a 9-6-1 lead in the all-time series with Tennessee, but this was the first win in the last five meetings against the Lady Vols, who have reached the Women's College World Series each of the last three seasons.

USF, the designated visiting team, took advantage of sloppy defensive play by the Lady Vols, who were undefeated coming into the game.

After four innings of pitcher's duel between USF hurler Courtney Mosch and UT pitchers Meghan Rhodes and Ashton Ward, the Bulls were able to plate two unconventional runs with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.

USF loaded the bases on pair of walks and a UT error. Then Ward uncorked a wild pitch that allowed USF left fielder Kelly McCarver to score from third. With runners at second and third, catcher Cat Olnick drew the third walk of the inning and again loaded the bases.

An unintentional second visit to the pitcher's circle, forced UT to bring back the starting pitcher Rhodes. She handed the Bulls their second run by hitting Mosch with a pitch, which allowed Britta Giddens to walk home with the game winning run.

Mosch returned to the circle in the fifth inning and gave UT an opportunity to get back in the game by loading the bases with no outs. Mosch was able to sit down the next two batters in order with a line out and strike out.

With UT's top hitter and one of the best players in America coming to the plate, USF head coach Ken Eriksen made the call to the bullpen for Christi Ecks. Ecks went after Tanya Callahan but eventually gave up the bases loaded walk to the All-American to put the score at 2-1.

Much like Mosch, Ecks settled down and struck out the next batter, Shannon Doepking to end the rally and the inning.

An RBI double by Britta Giddens and an RBI single by Kit Dunbar pushed the Bulls lead to 4-1 in the sixth innning and added all the insurance Ecks would need to close out the game.

Mosch worked 4.2 innings, struck out four and allowed just four hits and one earned run. She improved to 3-1 on the season. Ecks faced eight batters over 2.1 innings without allowing a hit and striking out four. She also picked up her first save of the season.

USF continued Best Western Tournament play against Florida Gulf Coast at 4:30 p.m.