USF 2, Providence 1 | Box Score | Season Stats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E USF 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 Providence 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 Pitching IP H R ER BB SO W - Richardson 6.1 4 1 1 0 5 L - Clauss 7.0 4 2 2 5 3 S - Catalano 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 Hitting Leaders AB R H RBI BB HR USF - Arnold 2 1 1 2 1 1 USF - Grzybek 2 0 1 1 0 1 GoUSFBulls.com MultiMedia Live Chat Transcript | Upcoming Schedule

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A two-run blast by junior Kendall Arnold in the second inning was all the Bulls needed as the University of South Florida softball team (19-19 overall, 4-3 BIG EAST) won its first road game of the season over the Providence Friars (13-21, 3-6), 2-1.

“I was really confident going up to bat,” said Arnold. “She threw a pitch right where I was looking. Preparation met opportunity.”

Freshman Lindsey Richardson (9-4) earned the win, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out five. The Estero, Fla., native did not walk a batter, scattering four hits on the afternoon.

“It was a good feeling to get this series started with a win, especially coming off last weekend,” said Richardson. “I was really determined to go out there and get us a win because we need some wins. Defense once again showed up and made some nice plays.”

With one out in the top half of the second inning, the Bulls strung together three of their four hits in sequence. Freshman first baseman Stormi Grzybek lined a single to left field to begin the Bulls rally. Arnold sent a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall for her third dinger of the year to give the Bulls the early 2-0 lead. Sophomore Alexis Nowell hit a hard single to right field but no one behind her was able to bring her in.

In the fifth inning, sophomore Janine Richardson laid down a lead-off bunt single for the Bulls' fourth hit of the game, but a nice play by Providence on a Tara Toscano hard liner to the third baseman doubled off Richardson.

With patience at the plate, USF reached base at least once every inning except one, utilizing five walks to five different batters.

In the bottom of the seventh, Providence's Justine Stratton hit a solo home run to cut the Bulls lead to one. Head coach Ken Eriksen called a timeout, stepping out to make a pitching change.

“It was unfortunate that I was unable to finish the game, but Capri came in and did exactly what she needed to do to get the save,” said Richardson.

Redshirt sophomore Capri Catalano earned her first save of the season, tossing 0.2 innings and forcing two groundouts. The righty now has seven saves in her career.

Corinne Clauss (5-6) suffered the loss, throwing a complete game but walking five Bulls and surrendering four hits.