TAMPA - The University of South Florida softball team got shutout for only the second time this season in a 4-0 loss to Drake in the nightcap of today's doubleheader.
"We did not lift the bat off our shoulders in crucial situations," said head coach Ken Eriksen. "I am not sure what hitting track we are on right now."
After falling 4-3 in the first game, the Bulls looked to get revenge on the Bulldogs, but stumbled in doing so.
Drake's all-time leading homerun hitter Elena Leon added two more to her collection as she hit both balls over the leftfield wall against Capri Catalano in the first and third inning respectively. Bridget Shields also hit a solo homerun in the game for Drake's third of the game.
Senior Kristen Gordon struck out four Bulldog batters in the game, moving up to fifth all-time on USF's career strikeout list, surpassing righty, Bree Spence. She now totals 364 strikeouts for her career.
Gordon completed three innings of work, allowing one hit and one run, but that run was not earned.
Seniors Tara Toscano and JoJo Medina were the only two Bulls to register a hit in the game. With a 0-for-3 performance, sophomore Gina Kafalas snaps her 10-game hit streak.
Catalano (2-2) suffered the loss tossing 4.0 innings, allowing four hits and three runs. The redshirt sophomore struck out five in her outing tonight.
Brynne Dordel (7-3) hurled a complete game, striking out 10 USF batters and only walking three.
The Bulls will be back in action as they compete in the final tournament of the USF Series, The Game. USF will take on Northern Illinois on Friday, No. 18/17 Oklahoma State and Florida A&M on Saturday, and closes out the tournament against Towson and No. 19 Florida State.
Eriksen still stands at 599 career wins as the Bulls skipper. He is now 599-313-1 in his 14th season at USF.
