By Stephen Hanewinckel

Special to GoUSFBulls.com

CLEARWATER -  Junior pitcher Lindsey Richardson tossed the Bulls' first run-rule shutout of the season as the University of South Florida softball team rolled past Illinois 8-0 in five innings Friday in the opening game of NFCA Leadoff Classic.

Richardson faced just 19 batters, striking out seven and giving up just three hits. She allowed just one runner into scoring position, controlling the game as she increased her scoreless innings streak to 16.2.

USF reached scoring position multiple times with good pitch selection at the plate. The Bulls had a runner in scoring position in each inning, working six walks out of Illinois pitching and forcing three errors with their speed. 

The Bulls' lineup contributed from top to bottom, scoring in three of the four innings and compiling a total of nine hits.  The top of the order led the flow of scoring as outfielders Ashli Goff and Gina Kafalas earned two RBIs and two hits each. Senior catcher Laura Fountain had a solid outing in the eight-hole, collecting two hits driving home two.

USF hit the scoreboard early as senior second basemen Alexis Nowell drove a fly to right field in the second inning, scoring the runner from third. Sophomore Ashli Goff followed two batters later with a single up the middle, increasing the lead to 3-0 in the second.

The third inning picked up where the second left off, as USF filled the bases for senior Gina Kafalas. Kafalas drove a two-strike fastball down the right-field line, emptying the bases to extend the lead to 6-0. Junior designated player Kenshyra Jackson and Fountain each added an RBI in the fourth, setting up the run-rule victory.

USF will finish its opening doubleheader in the NFCA Leadoff Classic against Mississippi State at 6 p.m.