By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, FEB. 12, 2016 – Head coach Ken Eriksen got a good look at his roster in real game situations during the Bulls' season-opening doubleheader Friday at USF Softball Stadium.

USF used 16 different players with four making their Bulls debuts in a 7-1 loss to South Carolina and a 6-3 loss to Virginia Tech.

“If you can get the majority of your roster playing in ballgames in the first five games of the year you've got a pretty well spread out, talented team,” Eriksen said.

Despite the losses, Friday's games showed the future is bright for USF with standout performances from freshmen.

Sam Worrell (Oviedo, Fla.) started against Virginia Tech at third base and hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning.  Right-hander Cheyenne Eggens (Vienna, Ohio) logged in six innings of work and gave up a run on three hits in the final four frames of the Virginia Tech game. Lindsey Devitt (Jacksonville) played in both games and scored a run against South Carolina.

The Bulls continue their USF-Wilson DeMarini Tournament run Saturday with a doubleheader, beginning at 4:30 p.m. against No. 2 Michigan. The Bulls will take on Illinois State at 6:45 p.m. and fans can purchase tickets HERE.

“Our schedule doesn't get any easier, but if we can come out and compete and contend on every pitch, I feel pretty good about what we can do,” Eriksen said.

Game 2: Virginia Tech 6, USF 3

Amber Donovan and Sam Worrell powered the Bulls with homers in the second game of USF's season-opening doubleheader.

Vanessa Gonzalez hit a solo homer in the second inning to help the Hokies (1-0) build a 5-0 lead through two and a half frames.

USF answered back in the bottom of the third with Donovan's first-career homer as a Bull. The senior from Guilford, Conn., rocketed a solo shot over the wall in center field.

“Amber Donovan came up and gave us a heckuva spark,” Eriksen said. “I haven't seen too many 240-foot line drives like that.”

The Bulls' bats heated up in the final inning, which gave the team momentum moving forward with three more games to play this weekend.

Senior Lee Ann Spivey (Palm Coast, Fla.) led off with a double to left field and Worrell cut USF's deficit to 6-3 with a two-run homer.

Junior right-hander and Tampa native Emily Gaitan (0-1) gave up five earned runs on six hits in three innings of her USF debut. Freshman Cheyenne Eggens gave the Bulls a big boost in the final four innings, scattering three hits and allowing an earned run while striking out a pair of batters.

“Today was the first day that she was actually throwing a changeup that she worked on Thursday,” Eriksen said. “I think she got like six outs with it, so that tells you what kind of pitcher she is. She's willing to adapt to what coach (Jessica) Moore is teaching her and you've got to love that type of mentality.”

Game 1: South Carolina 7, USF 1

Senior Erica Nunn went 2-for-3 at the plate and struck out three in five innings of USF's loss to South Carolina.

Victoria Williams' two-run homer spotted South Carolina a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and USF answered back shortly after.

Nunn (Apex, N.C.) helped her own cause with a stand-up double to left to start the bottom of the second inning. Cassidy Boyle (Buchanan, N.Y.) cut the deficit in half with a two-out RBI double to right-center.

Kennedy Clark's RBI double with two outs sparked a two-run fourth frame for South Carolina. Jordan Bizell gave the Gamecocks a 5-1 advantage with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth.

South Carolina (1-1) tacked on two more runs in the sixth and held onto the lead after opening the season with a 15-3 loss to No. 2 Michigan. Right-hander Jessica Elliott (1-0) struck out four and gave up an earned run on four hits in four innings.

Nunn (0-1) gave up eight hits and five earned runs in five innings. Freshman right-hander Cheyenne Eggens allowed two earned runs in her collegiate debut after becoming a four-time all-conference selection at Matthews High School in Vienna, Ohio.

USF totaled five hits and got a 2-for-4 performance from junior leadoff batter Juli Weber, who came in with a career .341 batting average.

Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Get your season tickets and mini plans HERE. 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.

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