USF Athletics

Bulls head to Clearwater for Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Invitational

February 15, 2018

Tournament Schedule
Location // Clearwater, Fla. // Eddie C. Moore Sports Complex
Follow // Twitter @USFSoftball // Live Stats
Single Game Tickets // Weekend Pass
TAMPA (Feb. 15, 2018) – The USF softball team will spend the weekend competing in the Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Invitational.

The tournament is comprised of eight teams and a total of 20 games will be played over three days. The teams will compete at the Eddie C. Moore Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

The Bulls kicked off their season with a 4-0 start before dropping the previous three games, including one to No. 2 Florida, and two to FGCU. In the first weekend of play, the Bulls upset No. 18 Michigan and defeated UAB in head coach Ken Eriksen's 900^th career win.

USF will play two games each on Friday and Saturday, and one game on Sunday. Learn about the Bulls' matchups below.

THE OPPONENT
Missouri
The Tigers visit Clearwater with a 2-3 record after the Kajikawa Classic in Temple, Ariz. Notable games include losses to No. 3 Oregon (14-2, 5 inn.) and No. 21 Oklahoma State (6-3). Missouri will face the Cowboys for a second time during the tournament this weekend.
The Bulls have met the Tigers on five occasions including last march. Missouri leads the series, 4-1, with a 13-4 (6 inn.) win during their last meeting.
USF will take on Mizzou twice during the tournament, Friday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Marshall
Marshall is 1-3 after the Plainsman Invitational at Auburn. The Thundering Herd saw Auburn, Furman, Wichita State and Tennessee Tech in their debut weekend. The team's only win was a 10-4 route of Tennessee Tech on the closing day of the tournament.
USF leads Marshall, 9-1, all-time in the series. The Bulls defeated the Thundering Herd in their meeting last season, 9-1.
USF will take on Marshall on Friday at 6 p.m.

No. 19/15 Oklahoma State
The Cowboys travel to the Sunshine State with a 4-1 record at the Kajikawa Classic in Arizona last weekend. Oklahoma State dropped its season opener before posting three straight wins in the tournament. The team defeated No. 7/7 Arizona for its first win of the season, 9-4. USF defeated Oklahoma State last season for the first time since 1999. The Cowboys lead the series, 14-2.
USF will take on Oklahoma State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

No. 10/10 Tennessee
The undefeated Volunteers (6-0) also took part in the Kajikawa Classic in Arizona to open their season. Tennessee defeated two ranked opponents to kick off its season, including a 7-4 victory over No. 19/23 Arizona State and a 6-5 win over No. 15/16 Utah.  USF and Tennessee last met in 2016, where the Volunteers delivered a 6-4 loss to USF. Tennessee leads the series, 10-9-1, dating back to coach Eriksen's first season at the helm in 1997.

USF will face Tennessee on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
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.