TAMPA, April 3, 2016 – The USF softball team's 23-game win streak came to a heartbreaking end in a 5-2 loss to conference foe Houston, Sunday afternoon at the USF Softball Stadium.

The Bulls (31-10, 5-1) still won the series with Houston after taking games one and two. USF won its first two conference series' after sweeping ECU to open conference play.  

Defensive miscues allowed Houston to take a three-run lead after the top of the third inning. With one out, the Cougars loaded the bases on a single, fielder's choice and a hit by pitch. An errant throw by Lauren Evans on a fielder's choice allowed two runs to score before a throwing error from Lee Ann Spivey plated a third.

The Bulls got on the board in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Erica Nunn. Kristen Wyckoff led off with a single and moved to second a sacrifice bunt from Juli Weber. Mo Santos was issued a walk and Spivey reached on a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners.

Nunn came up with a huge two-out single to right field, plating Wyckoff and cutting the deficit to just two runs.

In the fifth, Spivey made it a one-run game with her ninth home run of the season. The senior now has 33 in her career and is just four away from breaking the USF all-time career record.

Houston plated two more runs in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. The Cougars loaded the bases with no outs and used a walk and a sacrifice fly to plate a pair of runs. A bases loaded double play ended the inning, limiting Houston to just the two runs.  

The Bulls had plenty of scoring opportunities, loading the bases in the first and fourth innings. Houston's defense was able to make crucial plays, getting the runners out at home to keep USF scoreless.

Nunn (16-6) took the loss after giving up five runs (two earned) on seven hits. The senior struck out five and walked three in 5.1 innings of work.

The Bulls are back in action with a midweek doubleheader against Bethune-Cookman Wednesday, April 6, beginning at 5 p.m. The next conference series is set for April 8-10 when UConn comes to Tampa.

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 –