HOUSTON, MARCH 22, 2015 – Two late-game rallies by the USF softball team fell just short as the Bulls dropped both games of Sunday's doubleheader to Houston at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The Bulls (28-10, 0-2) had trouble getting the bats going in both games and fell to the Cougars (16-16, 2-0) for the first time since joining the American Athletic Conference.
GAME 1: Houston 4, USF 2
A furious two-out rally in the seventh inning fell just short as the Bulls dropped their conference opener to Houston, 4-2.
USF entered the seventh inning trailing 4-0 after Houston busted open a scoreless game with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After the first two batters were retired, Cassidy Boyle started a two-out rally with a single to right field. Astin Donovan followed with a single up the middle to put runners on first and second for Karla Claudio, who laced a double to right center to score both runners and cut the lead to 4-2.
Morgan Litchfield walked to put the tying runner on base for Juli Weber, who hit a shot to center field, but the ball was tracked down by Katie St. Pierre for the final out of the game to end the rally.
Erica Nunn (7-5) was stuck with the loss despite taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Julana Shrum pitched all seven innings to pick up her fifth win of the year for Houston.
The Bulls had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the fourth but left the bases loaded to end the threat.
Houston broke the scoreless tie with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kris Davila scored on a wild pitch and Shelby Miller brought home a run later in the inning with an RBI single to right field. Courtney Klingler followed that with a two-run double to extend the Cougars lead to 4-0 heading into the sixth.
USF had another chance to get on the board in the sixth after D'Anna Devine got hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Lee Ann Spivey reached base on an error to put runners on first and second with one out. Unfortunately, Monica Santos lined a rocket right at the Houston third baseman, who turned a double play to end the threat.
Lee Ann Spivey led USF at the plate, going 2-for-3 for her 11th multi-hit game of the season. Donovan also extended her hit streak to 12 games with a single in the seventh inning.
It was the first win for Houston over the Bulls since joining the American Athletic Conference, as USF swept the season series last year.
GAME 2: Houston 2, USF 1
Houston jumped out to an early lead with a run apiece in the first two innings and held on for a 2-1 win to sweep Sunday afternoon's doubleheader.
The Bulls had two runners in scoring position with two outs in the top of the seventh after a single by Mia Fung and a walk by Karla Claudio, but were unable to bring them home and extend the game.
Lee Ann Spivey extended her hit streak to six games with an RBI double in the top of the third to drive in the only run of the game for USF.
Selena Hernandez singled home Katie St. Pierre in the first inning and St. Pierre posted an RBI single of her own to make it 2-0 Cougars in the second.
Spivey helped the Bulls cut the lead to one with a double to right-center field in the third for her conference-leading 42nd RBI.
USF had a chance to tie the game in the top of the fourth but Monica Santos was thrown out at home on a suicide squeeze bunt attempt.
Susan Wysocki pitched 3.1 solid innings of relief with four strikeouts after coming in for Sam Greiner (8-3), who was credited with the loss after giving up both runs in 1.2 innings.
Fung had a solid day at the plate for the Bulls, tying a career high with two hits. Santos was also 1-for-1 with two walks for the game.
The Bulls host their first conference home series this upcoming weekend as they welcome Tulsa to Tampa for a three-game set starting on Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. Purchase tickets HERE.
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012. The Bulls made their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament last season and posted their 14th season with 40 plus wins under head coach Ken Eriksen.
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