Box Score TULSA, Okla. (April 23, 2016) – Lee Ann Spivey hit her 36th career home run Saturday afternoon, tying Kourtney Salvarola as the USF home run record leader.
The home run came at a pivotal moment as the Bulls (41-11, 13-1 American) trailed Tulsa (28-13, 5-6) in the top of the fifth inning. Juli Weber brought USF within two runs on a three-run shot of her own, before Spivey homered two batters later to tie the game and help fuel a five-run fifth inning.
Trailing 6-1, the Bulls began to put together a one-out rally as Astin Donovan and Kristen Wyckoff reached on back-to-back singles. Weber hit her fifth home run of the season to drive in Donovan and Wyckoff and pull USF within two.
After Weber cleared the bases, Lauren Evans reached on a single of her own and came home one batter later as Spivey hit her team-leading 12th home run of the season to tie the game.
In the seventh, the Bulls bought some breathing room with three runs. Weber led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on an Erica Nunn RBI groundout. With two outs and runners at first and second, an error by the Tulsa shortstop plated pinch-runner Kenya Yancy and Mo Santos to make it 9-6 going into the final half inning.
The Bulls got on the board in the first inning on a Spivey RBI single. Weber beat out an infield single and moved to third on an Evans double off the wall in center field. Spivey recorded her team-leading 36th RBI of the year on a single to shallow left field, plating Weber to give USF the 1-0 lead.
Tulsa responded in the bottom of the inning, ending the Bulls' 44-inning scoreless streak in conference play, on a three-run home run by Shelby Estocado. With one out, a single and hit by pitch put two on for the Hurricane. After a flyout to right field put runners on the corners, Estocado homered over the left field wall to give the Golden Hurricane the lead. An error by Weber would allow another run to score, making it 4-1 after the first inning.
The Golden Hurricane continued to extend its lead in the bottom of the second. After a walk and fielder's choice put two runners on, an error allowed a run to score. A single to left field plated another run.
Four Bulls recorded multi-hit games as Weber led the way with a 3-for-4 day, three runs and two RBI. Spivey, Evans and Donovan all went 2-for-3 on the afternoon, each scoring a run.
Nunn picked up the win, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings and giving up just two hits. The senior now has 24 wins on the season and 10 in conference play.
The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, April 24. The Bulls wrap up conference play at home against instate rival UCF, April 29-May 1.
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.
- #GoBulls –
