Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2 | Photo Gallery
TAMPA ? Freshman Kelly McCarver delivered a game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Pittsburgh, 2-1, and complete the doubleheader sweep on Friday night at the USF Softball Field.
Tied in the bottom of the seventh in game two, freshman pinch hitter Kati O'Brian singled to the pitcher and advanced to second on senior Lauren Rodriguez's sacrifice bunt. McCarver beat the shortstop's throw to record the infield single and drive O'Brian's game-winning run.
“Fastpitch is 64 games and we talk about these situations day in and day out,” head coach Ken Eriksen said. “We're not trying to do anything but have a footrace from third to home, we talk about having a great sixty feet run and it was good to see it happen.”
In the bottom of the fourth, senior Courtney Mosch put the Bulls up on the board with a double down the left line to score Britta Giddens.
Pittsburgh took advantage of a fielding error and tied the game in the sixth.
Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano pitched the complete-game to remain perfect in the circle at 10-0 for the season.
GAME ONE
In the first matchup, Tara Toscano scored the only run of the game as the Bulls defeated Pittsburgh, 1-0, in the first game of the doubleheader.
Scoreless through four and a half innings, Toscano singled to get on base and stole second to put the Bulls in scoring position. Senior Kit Dunbar's single advanced Toscano to third and pushed her home on a throwing error by the Panthers' shortstop.
Dunbar finished 2-for-3 in game one. Toscano went 1-for-3 and a run for the Bulls.
Senior Courtney Mosch struck out four, while allowing three hits and shutting out the Panthers through five and two-third innings of work.
Mosch was awarded the win and improved to 15-5. Catalano came out of the bullpen in the seventh and struck out three to record her third save of the season.
“We beat a very good team today. We knew it was going to be a battle of pitchers, and they were going to put pressure on us. Even after a lapse of execution we battled through it and, once again, Courtney Mosch and Capri Catalano pulled through for us. Pitching and defense are keeping us in and giving us major opportunities to win.”
After the nightcap, the Bulls improved to 34-13 and 9-1 in conference play. Pittsburgh fell to 21-15 and 6-3 in BIG EAST competition.
The Bulls will return to the diamond on Sunday as they take on Syracuse at the USF Softball Field. The doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m.
