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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, APRIL 26, 2014 – Senior Ashli Goff's go-ahead, two-run single in the fifth inning was enough support for ace Sara Nevins in a 2-1 victory over Memphis in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader at USF Softball Stadium.
Nevins (22-7) recorded her 10th double-digit strikeout game of the season with 14 and surrendered just one hit to help the Bulls improve to 8-5 in American Athletic Conference play. The left-hander didn't allow a walk and lowered her season ERA to 1.31 in front of more than 30 former Bulls that headed back to campus for Reunion Day.
Nevins, a senior from Pinellas Park, Fla., didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, when Kelly Braman connected for a home run over the right field wall to give Memphis a 1-0 lead.
The Bulls bounced back with two runs in the bottom half of the fifth and it all started with some small ball. Senior Dani Wayt (Oviedo, Fla.) and freshman Kristen Wyckoff (Plant City, Fla.) hit bunt singles with one out and both runners advanced to second and third on a double steal with two outs.
That set the table for Goff, a Tampa native, who roped a two-run single up the middle to provide the Bulls with a lead they didn't give up the rest of the way.
Nevins retired Memphis batters in order in the final two frames of her program record 94th career victory. Nevins became the first Bull to record 1,000 strikeouts on April 12 and the finalist for the Senior CLASS Award now has 1,036.
Goff and senior Kourtney Salvarola (Arnold, Md.) both went 2-for-3 to lead USF's seven-hit attack against the Tigers (22-27, 4-11). Memphis starter Ellen Roberts (11-16) gave up the two earned runs and struck out five with no walks in six inning of work.
Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader is set for a 3:15 p.m. start and fans can purchase tickets HERE.
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