Box Score TAMPA, April 2, 2016 – With a 6-3 win over the Houston Cougars, the No.23/24 USF softball team remained undefeated in conference play and earned its nation-leading 23rd consecutive win.
The Bulls (31-9, 4-0 American) are one of just two undefeated teams in conference play. UCF is also undefeated, but has played just one game after having a bye week last weekend and having a pair of games with UConn postponed today. Florida State, who has the second longest win streak in the nation, was also forced to postpone games, allowing the Bulls to continue to extend their advantage.
The scoring got started early with the teams combining for six runs in the first inning. Houston took a 2-0 lead on a home run by Elise LeBeouf, but USF responded right away, much like they have all season with a four-run first inning.
Kristen Wyckoff led off with a single and moved to second on a Juli Weber groundout. Mo Santos Walked and Lee Ann Spivey recorded an RBI single up the middle to plate Wyckoff and cut the Cougars lead in half.
Erica Nunn followed with a double to the right field wall, plating a pair and giving the Bulls their first lead of the day. Lauren Evans singled and a wild pitch brought home Nunn to make it 4-2 after one inning.
Houston would plate a run in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly from Brooke Vannoy. A bunt single from Maya Thomas and a walk to Presley Bell put two runners on for the Cougars and forced a pitching change from USF as Susan Wysocki entered. With one out, Vannoy put a fly ball deep to left field, plating Thomas.
USF extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out RBI single from Juli Weber. The Cougars got two quick outs, but Wyckoff walked to put one on. On a 1-0 pitch, Weber singled straight up the middle and Wyckoff used her speed to score from first and push the lead to two runs.
Santos used some amazing defensive skills to turn a double play in the fifth and keep Houston off the board for third straight inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Santos snagged a liner and threw down to first before the run could score, preserving the Bulls' two-run lead.
USF tacked on another run on a bases-loaded walk issued to pinch-hitter Morgan Litchfield.
Nunn, Mia Fung and Evans recorded three straight singles and Cassidy Boyle was hit by a pitch to load the bases for USF with two outs. Litchfield drew a full-count walk to bring home Fung and make it a 6-3 game.
Wysocki earned her ninth win of the season, throwing three innings of two-hit, scoreless ball. Nunn picked up her fifth save of the year, working 2.2 innings in relief and giving up just two hits. At the plate, Nunn also drove in a pair of runs, scored a run and went 2-for-4 at the plate.
The final game of the series is slated for a 1 p.m. start on Sunday, April 3. The Bulls play a midweek doubleheader against Bethune-Cookman Wednesday, April 6, beginning at 5 p.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 –
