Savarese Homers For Third Straight Game In 6-1 Win

Friday, February 19

TAMPA

1:30 p.m.

University of South Florida

Wright State

Savarese Homers For Third Straight Game In 6-1 Win

February 19, 2010 | Softball

By: USF

USF 6, Wright State 1| Box Score | Season Stats


	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
USF	0	0	2	4	0	0	0	6	11	0
Wright State	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	8	1

Pitching	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
W- Richardson	6.0	8	1	1	0	9
L- Heyne	3.0	7	4	4	1	2

Hitting Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB
USF - Medina	2	1	2	1	1	0
WSU - Haney	3	0	2	2	0	0

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TAMPA – After an eventful night surrounded by celebrities, family and friends, the University of South Florida softball team (3-2) came out swinging, scoring six runs in the first four innings against Wright State for the 6-1 victory in the first game of a doubleheader for the Bulls at the USF La Quinta Inn and Suites Tournament Friday afternoon at the USF Softball Stadium.

"Even though Lindsey Richardson may not have been overly sharp today, she buckled down in some crucial situations and gave us an opportunity to win the game against Wright State," said head coach Ken Eriksen.

Freshman Lindsey Richardson earned her second start in a row, striking out five of the first six batters. She tossed six innings, striking out nine Raider batters.

Seniors JoJo Medina and Alison Savarese hit back-to-back home runs to give the Bulls an early 2-0 lead against Wright State in the third inning.

Senior Cat Olnick continued the Bulls hit streak in the third by doubling down the left field line but was stranded Savarese has now hit a home run in three consecutive games.

Wright State answered by scoring a run in the bottom of the third on an RBI single up the middle with two outs by Louie Haney to cut the lead, 2-1.

The Bulls came right back in the top of the fourth to add four runs to the scoreboard. Senior right fielder Lauren Rodriguez singled through the left side.

Sophomore Alexis Nowell hit her first of two doubles of the game to plate Rodriguez. A pitching change for Wright State did not slow down the Bulls offense.

Junior Kelly McCarver was quick to jump on the change as she singled to the shortstop, as McCarver later stole second to get into scoring position.

Eriksen's move to put junior Kendall Arnold in to pinch hit for senior Tara Toscano ended up being a success as Arnold singled up the middle, plating Nowell and McCarver to take the 5-1 lead.

Defensive errors by Wright State allowed USF to extend its lead by five runs at the end of four innings played.

Senior Kristen Gordon finished the game on the mound for the Bulls, sitting down the Raider lineup to secure the win for the Bulls.

"Gordon did a great job in attacking the hitters in her inning also," said Eriksen. "When you can go and throw 14 innings and avoid the walks, only one today, our staff is giving our defense a chance to make a play."

Nowell finished the game with a game-high three hits, while Arnold led all players with two RBI.