TAMPA, FEB. 24, 2016 – For the second straight season, the Bulls posted nine runs en route to a win over the Jacksonville Dolphins. USF improved to 3-7 on the year with a 9-4 victory Wednesday night. In 2015, USF topped JU, 9-1, in five innings. 

After a scoreless first, Jacksonville got on the board with a two-run home run in the second inning by Heather Roberts. USF answered right back, plating three runs in an interesting home half.

The inning began with a single by Lee Ann Spivey for the Bulls' first hit of the night. After Erica Nunn lined out to third base, Mia Fung doubled and Sam Worrell walked to load the bases. An error by the Jacksonville shortstop allowed Spivey and Fung to score and tie the game. Lindsey Devitt reached on a fielder's choice that scored Worrell and put USF up 3-2 after two innings.

The Bulls would strike for three runs again in the third inning, highlighted by Worrell's second career home run. The inning began with Lauren Evans reaching on an error, followed by a Nunn double to make it a 4-2 game. Worrell then blasted a two-run shot to centerfield to score herself and Nunn, to make it 6-2 in the third.

In the fifth, the Bulls were just a double shy of hitting for the cycle as a team. Nunn recorded an RBI single to plate Evans, who led off with a triple. Fung followed up with the Bulls' second home run of the evening to plate pinch runner Kenya Yancy and make it 9-2 USF.

Jacksonville fought back in the top of the sixth, plating two runs. After a pair of singles, an RBI single by Danielle Baker plated one Dolphin and a throwing error by Worrell allowed another to score.

Freshman Cheyenne Eggens picked up the win in 5.1 stellar innings. She gave up just four runs, three earned, on five hits in just her second start of the season. Eggens is now 3-0 in her first year as a Bull. Emily Gaitan and Nunn each threw in relief, with Nunn working 1.1 innings of scoreless ball.

Up next for the Bulls is the USF Tournament Friday, Feb. 26-28, at the USF Softball Stadium. USF will face Kansas on Friday at 2:15, followed by UNLV at 4 p.m. Saturday will feature a game against Wisconsin at 11:30 a.m. and a to be determined game at either 2:15 or 4:30, depending on seeding. USF will play a to be determined opponent on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The Bulls open the 2015 season on Friday, Feb. 12, at 2:15 p.m. against South Carolina at the USF Softball Stadium. 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.

- #GoBulls –