CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of South Florida softball team (12-11) fell in extra innings in a 2-1 loss to Northern Illinois (5-13) in the first game of the USF The Game Tournament.
Although the Bulls pitching staff only gave up two hits, driving in runners was USF's downfall in the loss. The Bulls left 12 runners on base in eight innings of play.
Northern Illinois was the first to get on the board in the low-scoring game. Starter Capri Catalano walked two Huskies back-to-back in the first inning. A single to right field on a full count brought across Krista Matsui from second for the first run of the game.
The Bulls got the first two batters on base with singles to start the third. Junior Kelly McCarver slapped a ball to short but was out at second on a Gina Kafalas bloop single through the left side. Then two back-to-back walks by seniors Tara Toscano and JoJo Medina loaded the bases for the Bulls with one out. An illegal pitch was called on Northern Illinois hurler Whitney Owens to bring home Kafalas and advance everyone up a base, tying the game 1-1, but the Bulls could not across another run to take the lead.
With a leadoff walk in the fourth, Janine Richardson later stole second to put herself in scoring position. Sophomore Alexis Nowell singled up the middle, putting runners on the corners with one out. With its second scoring opportunity in the game for USF, Northern Illinois pitching shut down the Bulls offense to keep the one run lead. An infield popup and a groundout failed to bring home Richardson on third.
Senior Alison Savarese started a two-out rally for the Bulls in the fifth inning with her second hit of the game. Senior Cat Olnick reached first on walk and a hit-by-pitch by Richardson once again loaded the bases for USF. Stormi Grzybek sent a high fly ball to left but the Huskies left fielder, Zoe Sinner, planted under the ball to record their third out.
Although Brittany Bowles (2-5) earned her fifth loss of the season, the righty did not allow a hit or walk to Northern Illinois in 4.2 innings of work.
The Huskies scored in the eighth inning with the international tie breaker in place. After a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Adriana Sanchez, head coach Ken Eriksen brought in freshman Lindsey Richardson to close out the inning. Andrea Colosimo laid down a bunt between the pitching mound and first, forcing the Bulls to throw to first, plating runner Kate Welsh.
With the 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, Grzybek laid down the sacrifice bunt to advance Richardson, who was placed on second to start the inning. With the tying run on third and one out, NIU stood tall to preserve the win forcing, Nowell and Lauren Rodriguez to ground out to end the game.
The Huskies' Morgan Bittner was credited the win, tossing 3.0 innings, giving up two hits, allowing no runs and striking out two.
The Bulls return to action tomorrow in the USF The Game Tournament with a matchup against No. 18/17 Oklahoma State at 3 p.m. followed by Florida A&M right after at 5 p.m.
