Box Score TULSA, Okla. (May 13, 2016)— The USF softball team is headed to the American Athletic Conference Championship for the first time since the formation of the conference after defeating Houston, 4-1, in the semifinals.
The Bulls (44-13) earned a first round bye after winning the regular season title with a 15-3 conference record. Facing the fourth-seeded Cougars, the Bulls ace pitcher Erica Nunn threw her 10th complete game of the season, allowing just one unearned run.
Nunn, the unanimous conference pitcher of the year, was stellar in her first outing of the tournament. The senior struck out nine, allowing just three hits and facing just three batters over the minimum. She retired 13 straight batters from the final out of the first inning to the top of the sixth inning.
The Bulls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on an error by the Houston defense and an RBI single from Astin Donovan in the second inning. With one out on the board, Mia Fung drew a walk and Cassidy Boyle reached on a fielder's choice to put two on. A sacrifice bunt from Wyckoff coupled with an error by Houston's third baseman allowed Fung to score from second. A single through the right side from Donovan plated Boyle to give USF the two-run advantage.
On the first pitch of the fifth inning, Lee Ann Spivey drilled the 39th home run of her career over the left field wall to give USF a 3-0 lead. Spivey, a first team all-conference member for the second straight year, now leads the team with 15 home runs this season.
With one out on the board, Lauren Evans sent a 2-0 count over the wall in left field for her third home run of the year. Evans, a unanimous first team all-conference selection, also recorded nine put-outs in the game at first base.
Houston scored in the sixth, cutting the lead to just three runs. After back-to-back hits, a fielder's choice and strikeout put two outs on the board. On the strikeout, Spivey attempted to throw out a runner stealing third, but the throw was off target and the run scored. That would be all the damage done as a ground out would end the inning.
The Bulls will face the winner of the Tulsa vs. UCF semifinal. Saturday's championship game is set for noon on ESPN.
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.
- #GoBulls –
