TAMPA (May 1, 2016)— The USF softball team dropped its first series of the year, falling to UCF, 5-3, in the final game of the regular season. The two teams split the first two games, before playing a nine-inning game in the series finale.

The Bulls (43-13,15-3) got out to an early lead, using three straight singles to plate a run in the bottom of the first. Kristen Wyckoff and Astin Donovan used infield singles to reach, putting runners on the corners.  Juli Weber followed with her first hit of the series to drive in Wyckoff and put the Bulls on top 1-0.

In the third, the Bulls plated a pair of runs to take a 3-0 lead. Weber and Donovan reached on a single and a fielder's choice, before coming home on an Erica Nunn two-RBI single.

UCF (33-18, 10-3) would come back to tie the game in the fourth. With two outs on the board thanks to a stellar grab in centerfield by Weber, the Knights used back-to-back doubles to cut the USF lead to just one run. An RBI single by Jasmine Acevedo would plate the tying run.

The teams would go scoreless through the final three innings of regulation play, sending the game to extras for just the third time this season for USF. The Bulls had a chance to walk-off against the Knights, loading the bases in the seventh with no outs, but a double play and ground out would end the threat.

After a scoreless eighth, Samantha McCloskey hit a two-run home run to make it a 5-3 game in the top of the ninth, leaving USF just three outs to tie the game or win in walk-off fashion.

USF got a runner on with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as Weber reached on her third hit of the game. The rally would fall just short, as a fly ball to left field would end the game.

The Bulls will have next week off and return to action for the conference tournament on May 12.  After clinching the conference regular season title, USF earned a first-round bye and will automatically be in the semifinals on Friday, May 13. 

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. The 2016 team won the American Athletic Conference regular season title, the first under Ken Eriksen.  

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