PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of South Florida softball team (19-20 overall, 4-4 BIG EAST) dropped its first ever game to the Providence Friars (14-21, 4-6) in the second game of a doubleheader at Raymond Field Saturday afternoon, 6-3.
After scoring two runs on a pair Providence fielding miscues in the first innning, the Bulls were unable to sustain the lead.
Sophomore Janine Richardson laid down a bunt single down the first base line, scurrying her way safely to first. In an attempt to move Richardson to second, the Providence defense threw away a sacrifice bunt by Tara Toscano. Richardson advanced home on the error, landing Toscano at third. Senior JoJo Medina lined a single to right, driving home Toscano to take the 2-0 lead after a half inning of play.
The sacrifice bunt by Toscano moved the Palm Harbor native into a second place tie with Shelly Riker on USF's all-time career sacrifice hit list.
In the third, the Friars cut the Bulls lead in half on two singles and a walk. Justine Stratton knocked home Katelyn Revens for one of her two hits of the game.
Michelle Huber homered to centerfield to even the game, 2-2, after five innings of play.
The Friars took command of the game in the sixth inning, as Providence platted four runs on only two hits.
Freshman Stormi Gryzbek hit her first career home run to lead off the top of the seventh to cut the Friars lead, 6-3, but the Bulls were unable to string together anymore hits, falling to Providence for the first time in school history.
“Although I am excited to hit my first home run, I wish it would have come in a win,” said Grzybek. “I honestly was just trying to get a base hit.”
Senior Kristen Gordon (5-5) earned the loss, hurling 5.2 innings and giving up six earned runs on seven hits. The Cocoa, Fla., native struck out four and walked two.
Alicia Grosso (6-4) tossed the complete game win, surrendering seven hits and striking out one for the Friars.
