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By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, FEB. 15, 2014 – Sara Nevins struck out 10 in 5 2/3 shutout innings while the Bulls' bats were busy in a 5-1 USF Tournament win over Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon at USF Softball Stadium.

Nevins (2-2) gave up one hit before Karla Claudio and Erica Nunn shut the door on a Panthers comeback in the first of two games for the Bulls on Saturday.

Senior Kourtney Salvarola started the scoring with a solo home run, sophomore Lee Ann Spivey hit a two-run homer, and freshman Juli Weber and junior Nicollette Levine also drove in runs for the Bulls (3-3).

Following a shutout against Binghamton on Friday, USF wasted little time getting on the scoreboard during a three-run first inning that featured home runs from Salvarola and Spivey.

Salvarola got the scoring started by rocketing a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right-center field for her second homer of the season. Stephanie Medina followed with a two-out walk and Spivey crushed the first pitch she saw well over the wall in center (230 feet) to spot the Bulls an early 3-0 lead. Spivey (Palm Coast, Fla.) has two homers this season after totaling four in her debut as a Bull in 2013.

The Bulls produced again with two outs in the second inning when Weber hit an RBI single up the middle to extend the lead to 4-0. Weber (Hegins, Pa.) made the second start of her career in center field after being named Single-A player of the year in softball and basketball at Tri-Valley High School in 2013.

Levine entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth with the bases loaded and capped off the scoring with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field.

The Bulls continue their USF Tournament run 5:10 p.m. Saturday against top-ranked Tennessee back at USF Softball Stadium.