By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - USF proved it could hang tough with the No. 2 team in the nation Sunday afternoon.

Kelsey Horton's two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning helped Florida escape with a 3-2 victory over the Bulls before a record crowd of 1,261 at USF Softball Stadium.

Gina Kafalas had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth before the rally stalled for the Bulls, who went 3-1 to open up the season.

"That was a great softball game to watch and even more fun to coach because you're proud of the fact that the girls played the game the right way on both teams," USF head coach Ken Eriksen said.

Eriksen definitely was proud of USF starting pitcher Sara Nevins, who limited the potent UF lineup to five hits and two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings.

"Sara Nevins threw a pretty good game and got out of a lot trouble for us," Eriksen said.

UF (4-0) struck first with a run in the opening inning before USF (3-1) got going in the second. Laura Fountain got the Bulls on the board by driving in Courtney Goff with an RBI double to the wall in right-center with one out in the bottom of the second.

Nevins did not allow another hit until the top half of the sixth when she allowed consecutive singles to Kasey Fagan and Ensley Gammel with one out. Nevins got out the inning with no damage done, however, by getting a popout and striking out Michelle Moultrie.

The Gators also got a solid pitching performance from Lauren Haeger, who allowed one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"I thought she did a really nice job for her first week in Division I softball," said Eriksen of Haeger, who is a part of Team USA's junior program. "She is going to be recognized as a force, as will Sara."

The game remained tied at 1 entering the top of the eighth when UF was awarded a runner on second to start the inning because tournament rules. Kelsey Horton followed with a one-out, two-run homer to left field that gave the Gators just enough support.

Nevins left the contest after Horton's at-bat and wound up pitching 11 innings in the tournament with eight strikeouts in three games.

"I just wanted to hit my spots and have good movement," Nevins said.

Kafalas led the Bulls at the plate, going 2-for-4 and Janine Richardson went 1-for-2 with two walks in USF's tournament finale.

"It's good to get games under your belt, so your girls can get reps and get into game situations," Eriksen said. "I was pretty happy with the response of what went on."

The Bulls return to USF Softball Stadium 4:45 p.m. Friday to host Drake as part of the USF Invitational.