By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - The No. 17 Bulls got back on solid ground at home Wednesday thanks to timely hitting and a dynamic pitching duo.

Jessica Mouse produced the go-ahead run with a bunt single and Laura Fountain added the insurance run in a decisive fourth inning that propelled the USF softball team to a 3-1 victory over Bethune-Cookman after the Bulls lost two heartbreakers at Louisville last week.

"We fell off the mountain a little bit and today's objective was to get back up on the ledge and use the wires that we sank into the mountain all year long for a solid foundation," head coach Ken Eriksen said after the Bulls improved to 41-8.

The lead was definitely safe in the hands of senior Lindsey Richardson, who scattered three hits and struck out six in the final three scoreless frames. Freshman Sam Greiner (10-4) started it off by allowing one run on three hits in the first four innings before increasing her wins total to double digits.

"I think Sam and I work really well together when we pitch in the same game," Richardson said. "I love going in and helping her out with her game. She did awesome."

The Bulls' first hit of the game came at the right time in the second inning when Alexis Nowell's two-out single sent Courtney Goff home from third base.

The Wildcats (23-24) tied it up in the top of the fourth and the Bulls responded with perfect execution to retake the lead in the bottom half.

Stephanie Medina got hit by a pitch and runners were on the corners after Goff's sacrifice grounder to third base resulted in a throwing error.

"With her speed, they rushed the play and all of the sudden we're first and third," Eriksen said.

Mouse followed with a perfectly placed squeeze bunt near the first base line that gave USF a 2-1 lead and runners were on second and third because of a throwing error on the play. Fountain flied out to center field to score Goff and Richardson had the cushion she needed to work with in the pitcher's circle.

"Our defense is so good this year that all we need are those couple of runs," said Richardson, who stranded a Wildcat runner in the fifth and got a huge out at home to end the sixth on a relay play from left field.

The Bulls get back into Big East play at home during three-game series against Villanova that begins with a doubleheader 2 p.m. Saturday and Eriksen's was pleased with how his two pitchers in Tuesday's game set up what will be a very rested rotation by the weekend.

"To use both Greiner and Richardson is a big help going into the weekend," Eriksen said. "It gives (ace Sara) Nevins some time off to work on her mechanics and get back to form pretty well. Today it worked out just absolutely perfect."