CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of South Florida softball team (7-7) won 1-0 against Quinnipiac in the second game Sunday in the Under Armour Invitational to split 1-1 on the day.
Senior Tara Toscano singled through the left side in the top of the first. After advancing to second on a Laura Fountain grounder, Alison Savarese came through in the clutch once again. The senior sent a ball to left center to easily score Toscano and get her 10th extra base hit of the year.
“I hope Ali doesn't get tired,” said head coach Ken Eriksen. “She is carrying the weight of our team offensively right now and that can wear on you, but she has got a good head on her shoulders.”
Sophomore Brittany Bowles hurled 5.2 innings, striking out six while not allow a run to be scored.
“Quinnipiac is a really strong team,” said Bowles. “I knew I had to give everything to a minimum today, the walks, hits, etc. I had to keep focusing on spinning the ball like I've never really done before.”
In the top of the third, Kafalas singled for her third hit of the day and eventually stole second. After a walk to Fountain and a wild pitch, Savarese stepped to the plate for the Bulls. She sent a ball to right center, but the Quinnipiac centerfielder tracked it down and recorded the third out of the inning, keeping it tight at 1-0.
Alex Murray doubled to left center for Quinnipiac in the bottom half of the third. After a sacrifice bunt, Bowles shut down the Bobcats, striking out the next two batters to end the threat.
“Brittany's win was well deserved today,” said Eriksen. “She has been throwing the ball well since Arizona State. She is being efficient and getting the leadoff batter out.”
In the bottom of the sixth, Lauren Salgado singled to start the inning. Coach Eriksen went to the bench and put in senior Kristen Gordon with two outs. The righty from Cocoa, Fla., retired the next batter as the Bulls kept their lead heading into the seventh.
Gordon returned to the mound to close out the game and got USF's first save of the year. She tossed 1.1 innings, striking out two and only allowing one hit.
Heather Schwartzburg got the loss, throwing all 7.0 innings and giving up three hits and one run.
The Bulls will be back in action at the their home field, the USF Softball Stadium, on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against St. Joseph's.
