By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, MARCH 18, 2016 – Timely hits and convincing wins just keep on coming for USF softball.
Head coach Ken Eriksen's Bulls extended their winning streak to 15 games with a pair of run-rule shutout victories over quality opponents Friday at the USF Softball Stadium.
USF (23-9) started the day with a 9-0, five-inning victory over Chattanooga and followed it up with an 8-0, five-inning win over Georgia Tech in the afternoon. The Bulls have outscored opponents, 114-25, during their winning streak that dates back to March 5.
“We've just got it clicking now, we're not trying to do too much,” Eriksen said. “They're just really staying basic and you see what's happening. We're avoiding a lot of strikeouts, we're putting the ball in play, getting the barrel to the ball and the pitchers are giving us a great chance to score first.”
The star of the day was ace Erica Nunn, who also played a big role in USF's production at the plate. The senior left-hander from Apex, N.C., went a combined 4-for-5 with two homers, two doubles and seven RBIs. On top of all that, Nunn struck out six in seven scoreless innings between the two games.
“I'm not even speaking to her right now,” Eriksen said with a smile. “The best thing in the world is to stay away. I don't want to get in her way because she's enjoying it. She's 22 years old right now, she's a senior and she's finally enjoying the ballgame.”
USF continues its Spring Break Tournament run with two games in Clearwater on Saturday. The Bulls take on Kent State at 2:15 p.m., followed by a test against Marist at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
Game 2: USF 8, Georgia Tech 0 (5 innings)
Erica Nunn homered, drove in two runs and pitched three more scoreless innings in USF's second run-rule victory of the day.
Kristen Wyckoff and Astin Donovan each went 2-for-2 at the plate and combined to drive in three runs to help the Bulls keep rolling through opponents.
The Bulls started the day with a 9-0 win over Chattanooga in five innings and tallied two more runs in the first frame against Georgia Tech (10-15).
USF had the bags packed for Nunn with one out and the senior drove in her sixth run of the day with a sacrifice fly to left field. Monica Santos stepped up with two outs, lining a single up the middle to drive in Mia Fung.
The Bulls used their speed to extend their lead to 3-0 in the second inning. Donovan laid down a bunt single with one out, stole second and made it to third on a throwing error. Donovan raced home on an infield single by Wyckoff.
USF's lead was up to 4-0 in the third inning thanks to Nunn's second home run of the day. After hitting a two-run shot against Chattanooga, Nunn showcased her power by crushing an opposite field, solo homer over the wall in left-center.
“I think I was just trying to hit the ball square. I didn't really try and do too much with it,” Nunn said.
Four different hitters drove in a run in the fourth inning to help the Bulls put away the Yellow Jackets.
Donovan finished her perfect outing at the plate by ripping an RBI double to right-center. Another infield single from Wyckoff plated Donovan and Juli Weber followed with a run-scoring single to left-center. USF was on the verge of another run-rule victory after Lee Ann Spivey singled up the middle to score Weber.
Susan Wysocki picked up her first save of the season by getting the Bulls out of a jam in the fourth and pitching two scoreless innings. Nunn (12-5) set a new single-season career high in wins after scattering four hits in three innings. USF pitchers have combined to post seven shutouts this season.
Game 1: USF 9, Chattanooga 0 (5 innings)
Erica Nunn pitched four scoreless innings and drove in five runs at the plate in the Bulls' five-inning, run-rule victory.
Nunn (11-5) matched her previous top season wins total after striking out five and giving up two hits. The senior left-hander helped her own cause by going 3-for-3 with a home run and a pair of doubles.
“I'm not putting pressure on myself like I have in previous years,” said Nunn of her approach at the plate. “I'm not trying to hit eight-run home runs, I'm just trying hit the ball and it's been really fun.”
Nunn's two-run homer highlighted a three-run first inning for the red-hot Bulls.
Kristen Wyckoff led off with a single and scored two batters later on an RBI double by Mia Fung. Nunn came up to the plate with two outs and hit a two-run shot just over the tall wall in right field. Nunn is one of six Bulls with at least three home runs this season.
USF extended its lead to 6-0 by scoring three more runs with two outs in the third inning.
Nunn brought her RBI total up to four with another powerful swing in the third inning. The senior's double to left-center sent Lee Ann Spivey and Juli Weber home. Monica Santos followed with an RBI single up the middle.
USF put itself in position to secure the victory early with four more runs in the fourth inning and finished with five extra-base hits.
More production from Wyckoff and Webber spotted the Bulls a 7-0 lead. Wyckoff legged out a one-out infield single and stole two bases before Weber drove her in with a single up the middle.
Spivey's sacrifice fly made it 8-0 Bulls and Nunn capped off her outstanding game at the plate with an RBI double to left-center.
Freshman right-hander Cheyenne Eggens lowered her ERA to 2.35 by pitching a scoreless fifth inning. Chattanooga (15-4) managed just three hits in USF's sixth shutout of the year.
“They're having a lot of fun,” Eriksen said. “These are good teams we're playing right now, there are no slouches.”
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.
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