TAMPA (March 25, 2017) – Despite taking the lead in the first inning, the USF softball team dropped their first conference series with Tulsa, falling 7-3 in game two. The Bulls are now 20-17, 0-2, while Tulsa improved to 22-10, 2-0.

The Bulls jumped out to an early lead in the first inning on a Bethaney Keen RBI single.

Astin Donovan led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a groundout from Kassie Moeller. On a 0-2 count, Keen singled up the middle, plating Donovan to give USF the 1-0 lead.

USF would keep the Golden Hurricane off the board in the first three innings thanks to some stellar defensive work. The Bulls turned two double plays to keep Tulsa scoreless.

In the fourth, Tulsa would use a two-out rally to take a 4-1 lead. After a solo home run from Tori Stafford, two singles and an error would bring in three runs. 

Tulsa would extend its lead with another two-out rally in the fifth, using a two-run error and an RBI single to plate three runs.

In the home half of the fifth, the Bulls used a two-out rally of their own to pull within four. Donovan notched her second hit of the day before coming home on Moeller's fourth home run of the season.

Key Stats

2-Astin Donovan was 2-for-3 with two runs on the day from the leadoff spot.

4- Kassie Moeller now has four home runs on the season, good for second on the team.

Notable

-The Bulls hold a 6-4 all-time advantage over Tulsa, despite losing the last three meetings. 

Ken Eriksen postgame thoughts

Next Up
The series finale is set for Sunday, March 26, at 11:30 a.m. and will be streamed on Facebook Live.