TAMPA - The University of South Florida softball team (21-23 overall, 6-7 BIG EAST) could not hold a two-run lead, as the DePaul Blue Demons awakened their bats in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings for a 9-2 triumph over the Bulls.
After a leadoff double, single and walk, the Bulls defense held DePaul scoreless in the first. Senior starter Kristen Gordon forced Samantha Dodd to ground into a fielder's choice, keeping the Blue Demons off the board.
Sophomore Janine Richardson, who is now on a seven-game hit streak, singled in the second with nobody out. Senior JoJo Medina walked for the 126th time in her career, placing her one shy of second place holder Shelly Riker.
The Bulls RBI leader, Alison Savarese, stepped to the plate and delivered a hard-shot single through the left side, driving Richardson home from second and scoring the Bulls first run of the game.
DePaul's Brittney Yniguez roped a ball right through the legs of Laura Fountain with a runner on second in the third, but no damage was done. Savarese, who was at short, picked up the ball and threw home to senior catcher Cat Olnick who held on tight in the collision with Tara Voss, holding the Blue Demon's scoreless after three innings of play.
Medina homered to right field in the fourth with two outs, extending the Bulls lead, 2-0. The 28th career homer tied her for fourth all-time with two-time All-American Monica Triner.
"To be put in a category with the best softball player in USF history is such an honor," said Medina. "I wish we would have come away with a win. We just have to come out tomorrow and win game three."
The Blue Demons once again used one inning to score enough runs to go ahead of the Bulls for the second straight game. In the fifth inning, DePaul used four hits to score three runs to take a 3-2 lead.
Redshirt sophomore Capri Catalano entered the game in fifth inning, stranding a runner in scoring position and striking out two DePaul batters looking, but the USF bats could not answer.
Catalano remained in the game for another inning, but DePaul scored five runs on five hits off the righty, extending its lead, 8-2.
The Blue Demons scored their final run off sophomore reliever Candace Howell, who entered the game with the bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh.
Medina reached base for the third time of the game, this time getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning, moving her two behind the school record at 28. Sarah Watson owns the record with 30.
Gordon (4-7) earned the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits. The Cocoa, Fla., native struck out three while walking one.
Last year's BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year, Becca Heteniak (14-9) went the distance for DePaul, tossing all seven inning, scattering four hits and giving up two runs, only one being earned. The righty struck out five and walked two.
USF returns tomorrow to face the Blue Demons in Game 3 of the series at 11 a.m. at the USF Softball Stadium.
