TAMPA (Feb. 21, 2017) – After wrapping up a 3-2 weekend at the Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Foundation Tournament, the USF softball team returns home for a midweek game against Eastern Michigan. The Bulls and Eagles will square off on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at the USF Softball Stadium.
The No. 25 Bulls picked up three wins over the weekend to improve to 6-3 overall. USF topped Binghamton, Hofstra and Oklahoma State, while falling to Wisconsin and No. 14 James Madison. The Bulls outscored opponents, 30-17, over the weekend, thanks to a 10-0 victory over Binghamton and a 12-4 win over OSU.
Astin Donovan currently leads the team with .448 average and 13 hits. Her five runs and 13 total bases rank second on the team. Bethaney Keen leads the team with two doubles and two home runs for a .516 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, Kalen Mcgill has picked up the bulk of innings, compiling a 2.40 ERA in 23.1 innings of work. Her 21 strikeouts also lead the pitching staff.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Eastern Michigan opened its season this past weekend at the Madeira Beach Invitational. The Eagles finished the weekend 3-3 after picking up wins over Boston, Siena, and Robert Morris.
Taylor Wagner leads the way offensively with a .438 average. Michelle Kriegshauser ranks first on the team with three doubles, 11 total bases and a .524 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, Abie Minsker leads the staff with a 1.64 ERA and a .257 opponent batting average in 11 innings of work.
QUICK HITTERS
· Lindsey Devitt recorded her first career home run, a grand slam over Oklahoma State, to lead USF to a 12-4 victory. The sophomore also recorded a game-high five RBI in the win.
· Kalen McGill picked up her first USF win, throwing 3.1 innings of three-hit ball against OSU.
· USF's win over OSU was its first win since 1999 and only the second win over the Cowgirls in 16 meetings.
· Bethaney Keen's first collegiate hit was a two-run walk-off home run to help USF to its first win of the season.
· Kassie Moeller hit her first career home run, a two-run, pinch hit bomb, to help USF to a win over then-No.6 Michigan.
UP NEXT
USF will spend the weekend on the road at the Hatter Invitational in DeLand, Fla., Feb. 24-26. The Bulls will face Ole Miss, Colgate and host Stetson.
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 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. USF returns 15 players from the 2016 squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Juli Weber, first-team all-conference selection Lauren Evans, and second-team selections Astin Donovan and Kristen Wyckoff.
- #GoBulls –
