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| L - Wadwell |
6.0 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
TAMPA - One inning was all it took as the University of South Florida softball team (22-27 Overall, 7-11 BIG EAST) downed the Louisville Cardinals 33-16, 12-6), 2-1, in the Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.
After both teams remained scoreless through four innings of play, the Bulls muscled two runs across in the fifth.
Senior Cat Olnick came through in the clutch when she singled through the left side, allowing sophomore Laura Fountain to score for the Bulls' first run. Sophomore Gina Kafalas laid down a bunt single to third but an errant throw allowed Olnick and Kafalas to move up a base.
In an attempt to throw out Kafalas running to second, another erroneous throw by Louisville's right fielder Vanessa James bumped off of Kafalas skidding into left field, scoring Olnick for the Bulls' second run. Olnick slid around catcher Melissa Roth to touch home safely.
"I knew I had to hit the ball hard on the ground to get it through and drive in the run," said Olnick. "As for the run, I was running as fast as I could to score that run. I was booking it."
Olnick, who missed the doubleheader against Villanova due to a mouth injury, was perfect at the plate going 2-for-2, with an RBI and run scored.
"It was a little nerve racking coming back," said Olnick. "I had to make adjustments hitting with a face mask and my doctored my catcher's helmet. I have to go out there and not think about it."
In the sixth inning, Trimble blooped a two-out single to centerfield, easily scoring Jennifer Esteban who led off with a single to center, cutting the Bulls' lead in half, 2-1.
In the sixth, senior JoJo Medina started the bottom half of the sixth with a single up the middle for her 151st hit of her career. It was Medina's second hit of the game.
Freshman Lindsey Richardson (11-7) held the Cardinals to three hits, striking out four. She tossed the complete game, holding 2009 BIG EAST Player of the Year, Melissa Roth hitless in three at-bats.
National Fastpitch Coaches Associations All-American Kristen Wadwell (15-10) suffered the loss, surrendering six hits, two runs, one earned. She walked one Bull, while striking out four.
With the win, the Bulls sit for a tie for eighth place in the BIG EAST Conference standings.
The Bulls conclude the three-game series with their final home game of the season tomorrow at 11 a.m. In addition to their last game, on Sunday will be Senior Day for nine of USF's players. Kristen Gordon, JoJo Medina, Alison Savarese, Cat Olnick, Ashley Bullion, Melissa Rosas, Lauren Rodriguez, Tara Toscano and Becky Frye will be acknowledged prior to the game for their impact, dedication and time they put forth to the USF softball program.
