TAMPA (April 9, 2017) – The USF Softball team picked up its first sweep of the season, downing ECU 9-7 in the final game of the series. The Bulls are now 24-19, 4-4 on the year, while the Pirates fell to 19-23, 2-7.

For the second straight game, the Bulls pulled off a comeback win, rallying twice to take the game. Down 2-0 in the third inning, USF would use a three-run homer from Bethaney Keen to take a 3-2 lead.

The Pirates would strike back with a bases-loaded walk and an RBI fielder's choice to move on top, 4-3.

A five-run fourth would highlight the game for USF as the Bulls came back from the 4-3 deficit.

Lauren Evans and Kelsey Lay would reach on back-to-back singles to start the inning. Evans would come home on a throwing error to tie the game at 4-all, before Lay scored on a fielder's choice to take back the lead.

A sacrifice fly and a Lindsey Devitt two-RBI single would make it 8-4 at the end of the fourth.

The Pirates would keep it interesting, plating two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh. Kassie Moeller would launch her seventh home run of the season in the sixth, making it a 9-6 final score.

Key Stats

-The Bulls used a three-run third and five-run fourth to take the series.
-Kristen Wyckoff, Bethaney Keen and Lindsey Devitt paced the offense with two-hits apiece.

Notable

-The Bulls have not lost to ECU in their last seven meetings, sweeping the Pirates the last two seasons.
-Astin Donovan has reached base safely in the last five conference games, recording a hit in four of the last five.

Ken Eriksen Postgame Thoughts

Next Up
The Bulls will embark on a four-day road trip to face Jacksonville and UCF. USF and JU will play a midweek game on April 12, before the Bulls and Knights face off for a three-game series in conference play.   

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 –