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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, APRIL 26, 2014 – The Bulls busted out the bats to complete a Reunion Day doubleheader sweep of Memphis on Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 1,320 at USF Softball Stadium.
USF (35-14, 9-5) racked up 11 hits in a 12-0 run-rule victory over the Tigers with a ton of seniors leading the way at the plate. Stephanie Medina went 2-for-2 with four RBIs and Dani Wayt, who started both games at shortstop, added a two-run single in a seven-run fourth inning that was highlighted by pinch hitter Kaitlyn Santo's three-run homer.
Ashli Goff turned in a 3-for-3 performance and scored three runs a game after going 2-for-3 against the Tigers (22-28, 4-12).
“She makes us good and she was clutch not only Game 2 today, but also Game 1,” head coach Ken Eriksen said. “With her staying consistent all year long we've kind of played off her a lot offensively. It helps (Kourtney) Salvarola and it helps Medina get comfortable at-bats when Ashli is on base.”
USF's offensive explosion was more than enough support for starter Erica Nunn (10-7). The sophomore left-hander from Apex, N.C., allowed one hit in five shutout innings of work with five strikeouts and two walks.
“That's tough to overlook what she just did with her bouncing back and throwing consistently in the zone,” Eriksen said. “Erica was moving the ball and competing in the zone today.”
USF took the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, 2-1, thanks to a two-run single by Goff in the fifth inning and the Bulls didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard in Game 2.
Freshman Juli Weber (Hegins, Pa.) led off with a single and Goff put runners on first and second with a bunt single. Medina (Tampa) followed with a one-out, two-run triple to left-center and beat the throw with a head-first slide. USF grabbed a 3-0 lead with a two-out, RBI bunt single by junior Veronica Gajownik (Winter Park, Fla.).
The Bulls stayed hot at the plate during a two-run second inning and Goff started the two-out rally with a triple to left-center. Salvarola (Arnold, Md.) put two on by getting hit by a pitch and Medina loaded the bases with a walk. Sophomore Lee Ann Spivey (Palm Coast, Fla.) followed with a two-run single up the middle, which forced the Tigers to go to the bullpen early.
Memphis starter Christian Novak (9-9) lasted only 1 2/3 innings after giving up five earned runs on six hits with two walks.
USF extended its lead to 12-0 with a seven-run fourth frame, which is the most the Bulls have scored in any inning this season.
Goff hit an infield single and advanced to second on a groundout by Salvarola before Medina drove a two-run single to center field. Wayt produced with two outs by hitting a two-run single up the middle to give the Bulls what they needed for the run rule.
D'Anna Devine kept the inning going with a walk and Santo added three more runs to USF's credit with her first-career homer over the wall in left field.
“Everyone's favorite, Kaitlyn Santo, came up big in a well-deserved moment with a pinch-hit, three-run home run,” Eriksen said. “There wasn't a dry eye in the dugout today. It was that type of fantastic happiness for somebody that's worked so hard for us the last three years.”
More than 30 Bulls headed back to campus for Reunion Day and some former players traveled all the way from Canada, Illinois and states out West to take part in the special event.
“It doesn't get any better than that. It's basically like your whole family is here, your family from your past 30 years showed up today,” Eriksen said. “I think it says a lot about their love of their four years here and the competitiveness from four years here, so for me it's always an emotional Reunion Day. For our team to perform in front of them like they did today I was very, very proud of that.”
The series will conclude with a single game 11 a.m. Sunday and fans can purchase tickets for the Bulls' home finale HERE. Senior Day festivities will take place before first pitch when the program honors Goff, Courtney Goff, Medina, Sara Nevins, Salvarola, Santo and Wayt.
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