By STEPHEN HANEWINCKEL
Special to GoUSFBulls.com

TAMPA - The Bulls' start to the Big East season couldn't have gone any better Saturday.

Sara Nevins won her second game of the day as USF strolled to 11-0 run-rule victory over Rutgers at USF softball stadium. The Bulls defeated the Scarlet Knights, 9-0, in the first game of the doubleheader to kick off the conference season.

"Any time you get off to a 2-0 start in the Big East, it a nice accomplishment," head coach Ken Eriksen said. "I was happy with focus; we stayed the course in doing what we do."

USF reached base 17 times in Game 2 as the Bulls' bats were led by Stormi Gryzbek and Stephanie Medina. Medina went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, but Gryzbek led the game in RBIs with four after a grand slam.

"We have been playing well as a team," Medina, a sophomore, said about hitting.  "Patience (at the plate), we are just letting things happen, instead of forcing them."

Nevins improved to 15-2 by pitching four innings, striking out five and allowing just two hits.

"Nevins is hot right now," Eriksen said. "(Rutgers) didn't look very good swinging against her in game one. Let's ride that wave."

The Bulls cycled through the lineup in the first inning, scoring the first four batters. After a walk by Gina Kafalas and an infield single by Ashli Goff, Medina scored the first run with a line drive single off the right field wall. Kenshyra Jackson drove home two more on a double to left. The third straight hit scored the fourth run with a blooper into left center by Kourtney Salvarola.

USF added on a couple of insurance runs in the third inning. Third basemen Jessica Mouse started the inning off with a one-out single followed by her third stolen base on the season. Second basemen D'Anna Devine reached first on a throwing error, giving Mouse plenty of time to round third for the score. Three batters later Medina earned her second RBI of the game, tacking on the sixth run of the game.

USF kept it rolling in the fourth when Devine's bases-loaded single scored senior Janine Richardson from third.  Pinch hitter Stormi Grzybek's first home run of the year was a grand slam to complete the second run-rule victory of the day.

"It's a great feeling," Gryzbek said. "I am just glad I could come through."

USF will finish up its weekend series with Rutgers1p.m. Sunday back at the USF softball  stadium.