Box Score TAMPA (March 24, 2017) – The USF softball team suffered a conference opening loss, falling 5-0 to Tulsa Friday afternoon. The Bulls dropped to 20-16, 0-1 on the season, while Tulsa improved to 21-10, 1-0.
After a pitcher's duel for the first three innings, Tulsa broke the scoreless tie in the fourth, using an RBI single from Mikayla Whitten to take the early lead.
In the fifth, the Golden Hurricane took advantage of defensive miscues to plate four runs and extend its lead to 5-0.
USF had its best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fifth, breaking up Tulsa pitcher Emily Watson's perfect game bid. With one out, Bethaney Keen and Kassie Moeller recorded back-to-back singles, moving in to scoring position on a Lindsey Devitt sacrifice bunt. The pair would be stranded as a strikeout ended the scoring threat.
In relief, Cheyenne Eggens would shut down the Hurricane, allowing just three hits and no runs in 2.1 innings. Starter Kalen McGill took the loss, allowing five runs, one earned, in 4.2 innings of work.
Key Stats
5-USF made five errors in the game, tying a season-high.
12-Tulsa starting pitcher Emily Watson struck out 12 batters and allowed just two hits in the game.
Notable
-Lindsey Devitt saw her six-game on-base streak come to an end.
-This is the first time this season the Bulls have been held scoreless in back-to-back games.
Ken Eriksen postgame thoughts
Next Up
The Bulls will look to even up the series on Saturday, March 25, at 4 p.m. The series finale is set for Sunday, March 26, at 11:30 a.m. and will be streamed on Facebook Live.
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 14 players from the 2016 squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including, first-team all-conference selection Lauren Evans, and second-team selections Astin Donovan and Kristen Wyckoff.
- #GoBulls –
