TAMPA ? Senior Britta Giddens blasted a grand slam over the left field wall to secure a victory for the Bulls. Freshman pitcher Brittany Bowles threw five and one third inning to get her first collegiate win. USF fell earlier in the day to Minnesota, 4-2, to split 1-1 on the day.
GAME TWO ? USF 5, UNF 1 Boxscore
Senior Britta Giddens blasted her second career grand slam over the left field wall in the top of the fifth inning to give USF a 5-0 lead it would not relinquish.
“It felt really good,” said Giddens on her grand slam. “I think it's a great comeback from last game. We are off to a great start and we are working well together. Our chemistry is amazing right now.”
The Bulls carried their outstanding defensive performance into their second game of the day against the University of North Florida, despite many fresh faces in the lineup. Freshman Brittany Bowles started the game in the circle for USF, striking out the first batter she faced. Britanie Block singled to left field but the Ospreys were unable to advance the runner as junior Melissa Rosas made a diving catch in centerfield off the bat of Rutenbar for out number two. A ground out by UNF cleanup hitter Ashley Battaglia ended the inning.
“This has been the most comfortable I have felt in my whole life in pitching,” said Bowles. “It feels right and I am happy to have a good team behind me. I did my best and things went my way.”
USF struggled to find its rhythm against North Florida hurler Shaina Dent, sending only three batters to the plate in both the first and second innings retiring on four fly outs, one ground out and a strikeout.
The top of the third and fourth innings saw even more unbelievable USF defense as Bowles faced only three batters each inning. Catcher Hillary Wolf threw out two runners attempting to steal second and junior Lauren Rodriguez made a diving catch on a foul ball well past the right field line to keep UNF scoreless through four.
The Bulls began to come alive at the plate in the bottom of the fifth as Rodriguez reached on an error to begin the inning. Wolf laid down a perfect bunt that allowed her to reach safely and advance Rodriguez to second. A sacrifice bunt by Caitlin Schneider advanced both Wolf and Rodriguez to scoring position with one out. Pinch-hitter Tara Toscano drove in Rodriguez on a single to left, putting the Bulls on the board, 1-0. Giddens wasted no time increasing the USF lead, blasting a grand slam well over the left field wall making it 5-0 Bulls.
The Ospreys cut the deficit in the top of the sixth as Laura Williams led off the inning with a triple to right field. Junior Kristen Gordon relieved Bowles in the middle of sixth inning ? making her second relief appearance of the day ? and struck out the first batter she faced. A right field single by Block scored Williams from third to put UNF on the board, 5-1.
The USF defense was able to maintain its hold over UNF through the seventh inning with Gordon striking out two to cement the Bulls 5-0 victory.
GAME ONE ? Minnesota 4, USF 3 Boxscore
The Golden Gophers jumped out to an early start against the tournament hosts. USF freshman pitcher Candace Howell ? who earned the save in Friday's 5-2 victory against UNC Greensboro ? struck out the first batter she faced before giving up a single and a pair of walks to load the bases. Katie Dalen put the Gophers on the board by singling up the middle to score Bethany Wolvington and Malisa Barnes, 2-0.
The Bulls collected out number two, tagging lead runner Shannon Stemper at third base on a fielder's choice off the bat of Heidi Carls. Senior Britta Giddens got USF out of a tight spot after Tina Watts walked to load the bases for the second time in the inning. Giddens showed her range making a diving catch in shallow right center field on a well hit ball by pinch hitter Natalie Neal to end the UM rally.
USF wasted no time staging its comeback, reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman centerfielder Janine Richardson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on ground outs by Tara Toscano and Giddens. Designated player JoJo Medina ripped a single up the middle, scoring Richardson and cutting the Minnesota lead, 2-1.
Junior Alison Savarese drew a walk to put two on for the Bulls with two outs as sophomore Merrill Robinson entered to pinch run for Medina at second. Both runners advanced to scoring position on a passed ball and freshman Laura Fountain drove them home with her first career hit to give USF a 3-2 edge.
After regaining the lead, USF tightened up defensively, retiring the Gophers in order in the top of the second with a ground out and a pair of back-to-back fly outs. While unable to get much going offensively, the Bulls maintained their hold over Minnesota in the field. Howell allowed only one hit through the top of the third, while the Bulls prevented the Gophers from advancing their runner past second.
Howell continued to quiet the Minnesota bats in top of the fourth, fanning the first two batters she faced and fielding a hard hit ball right outside the circle to throw out Aubrey Davis at first, retiring the Gopher lineup in order for the second time in the contest.
Junior Kristen Gordon relieved Howell in the circle in the middle of the fifth inning, with one out and runners on first and second. The Gophers seized the opportunity to regain the lead with its go-ahead run on base. Stemper grounded out to Gordon in the circle, advancing both runners to scoring position before a pair of errors by Fountain and Giddens allowed both runners to score giving Minnesota a 4-3 lead.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh Giddens and Medina drew a pair of one-out walks to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base for the Bulls. Gopher pitcher Briana Hassett struck out Savarese. With two on and two out UM centerfielder Aubrey Davis made a diving catch on a well-hit ball to centerfield by Fountain, handing the Bulls their first loss of the season, 4-3.
The Bulls will battle Florida Gulf Coast University in Day 3 of the Louisville Slugger Tournament. The game will begin at 1:30 p.m., where the Bulls will look to claim the tournament title.
