TAMPA - University of South Florida softball's head coach Ken
Eriksen said he wanted to see more aggressive at bats after a 2-2 record over
the weekend. In the opening game of a doubleheader against Central Michigan
Wednesday, the Bulls listened.
USF (14-4 overall, 0-0 BIG EAST) batted around during a
four-run fourth inning, out-hitting Central Michigan 10-2, beating the
Chippewas in the early game, 6-2 at USF Softball Stadium.
Seven different Bulls collected at least one hit, and eight
reached base as USF's offense drove the Bulls to a game-one win.
The Bulls answered quickly after seeing an early 1-0 lead
disappear by way of a two-run home run bouncing in, and then out of the
outstretched glove of leaping sophomore left fielder Ashli Goff in the fourth
inning.
USF pieced together five hits in the bottom of the fourth,
the exclamation mark coming on a two-run blast off the bat of senior outfielder
Janine Richardson. It was Richardson's second home run of the season, and one
of two extra-base hits in the game for the senior.
Junior pitcher Lindsey Richardson tossed four and two-thirds
of an inning, allowing just two hits and two earned runs while striking out
four. Richardson picked up the win, improving to 6-0.
Sophomore shortstop Kourtney Salvarola and freshman second
baseman D'Anna Devine each recorded two-hit outings, and senior outfielder Gina
Kafalas singled and drove in a run, extending her hitting streak to six games.
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