|
|
 |
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
|
USF |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
11 |
0 |
|
NC State |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
Pitching |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
|
W- Bowles (4-2) |
5.0 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
|
L- McKenzie |
7.0 |
11 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
S- Gordon |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Hitting Leaders |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
HR |
|
USF - Giddens |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| |
CLEARWATER ? The University of South Florida softball team (16-10) defeated NC State (7-7), 2-1, on Saturday afternoon to advance to the championship game of the USF Under Armour Invitational.
The Bulls will face Villanova at Noon Eastern on Sunday for the title of the tournament.
"Whoever wasn't at this game missed one of the most exciting softball games I have ever seen," said head coach Ken Eriksen. "The defensive plays we made today were national-team-type plays. Our team is so tough and I feel bad for our fans that didn't get to see this effort."
USF advanced to the championship on the strength of a career day from Britta Giddens and the arm of freshman Brittany Bowles.
Giddens lifted a home run to left field in the first inning to give the Bulls a lead they would never relinquish. The blast is the third of the season and the 15th of her career, which is seventh-best mark in USF history.
"I was just trying to put the ball in play," said Giddens. "Went it went over the fence, I was like, 'Yes!'"
She had more career accomplishments before the day was done.
Giddens was in the mix when the Bulls scored the winning run in the fifth inning. After a leadoff single by Tara Toscano, Giddens singled through the left-side and moved Toscano into scoring position for JoJo Medina. Medina picked up the two-out RBI and drove home Toscano with the team's third single of the inning.
It was the 200th career hit of Giddens career, making her just the 12th player in USF history to reach the mark.
"I am just trying to produce like I am supposed to for my team," said Giddens. "We came out and competed, put together a good team effort and got a good win."
Medina and Giddens continue to drive the Bulls offense. The dynamic duo is tied for the team lead in both home runs, 3, and RBI, 17.
Bowles threw five innings and only allowed one earned run on three hits, while striking out six batters. Bowles improves to 4-2 on the season.
She was relieved by Kristen Gordon in the sixth inning. Gordon threw two inning of scoreless, hitless softball, while ringing up three batters and picking up her first save of the season
A win on Sunday would clinch the Bulls second every title in this tournament, which was previously called the Speedline Invitational. The Bulls claimed the 2004 Speedline Championship.
