By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, FEB. 8, 2018 – Terrific pitching and timely hitting during a pivotal sixth inning propelled USF to a 3-0 win over Illinois State in the season opener on Thursday night.

Catcher Macy Cook, a transfer from Wright State, made her first game as a Bull a memorable one by starting a two-out rally in the sixth inning with an RBI single. Cassidy Boyle went 2-for-3 and drove in USF's second run before Amber Atkinson plated another Bull in the three-run sixth frame.

Freshman starter Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) shined in her collegiate debut, striking out six and scattering two hits in 4.2 innings of work. The right-hander and Great Britain U19 team member worked two perfect frames and didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning.

Hannah Parker (Altoona, Iowa) provided a crucial out of relief, stranding a pair of runners in the fifth inning. Senior Kalen "JoJo" McGill (Gainesville, Fla.) earned the victory by tossing two scoreless frames to cap off a USF pitching performance that featured seven strikeouts while Illinois State managed just three hits.

Boyle (Buchanan, N.Y.) tallied USF's first hit of the season, a double off the left field wall in the fifth, before the Bulls broke through at the plate in the sixth inning.

Cook (Uniontown, Ohio) started the two-out RBI spree with a single to left field. Boyle followed with an RBI single to center and Atkinson (Citrus, Fla.) made it 3-0 by legging out an infield single with the bases loaded.

Quotable
Head coach Ken Eriksen's thoughts on how the season-opening win came together:
"I thought the freshman did a phenomenal job. How many times did you see the freshman come out in a composure situation like that, get out of a jam in the first inning, get out of another jam in the fourth inning. You wouldn't know she was a freshman the way she threw. Then Parker comes in and get a crucial third out in the fifth inning to put Kalen on deck for us. Those guys did a great job and you've got to give a lot of credit to the catcher, who caught all three tonight and was seeing the ball well. Macy Cook did a great job. I was really surprised they pitched to her, in all honesty. She was seeing the ball that well. She was clutch tonight and we're glad she transferred here."

Catcher Macy Cook on her approach that led to driving in the game-winning run:
"I was just trying to see the ball and stick to the process, every day what I do in practice. I tell myself every at-bat to just take a deep breath, so that's what I was trying to stick to."

Key Stats
3 – USF scored all three of its runs with two outs in the sixth inning.
3 – USF's trio of pitchers allowed just three hits.
 
Notable

• Ken Eriksen is now just three wins away from No. 900 in his career. This is Eriksen's 22^nd season as head coach of the program.
• Thursday marked the second straight season USF opened its campaign with a win over Illinois State. The Bulls opened the 2017 season with a 5-4 victory over the Redbirds.

 
Up Next
The Bulls are set to host the USF-Wilson DeMarini Tournament this weekend at USF Softball Stadium.

USF starts with a test against Georgia State on Friday at 7 p.m. The Bulls then play a pair of games Saturday against No. 18 Michigan (3:45 p.m.) and UAB (8:30 p.m.). USF finishes up the weekend with a game against No. 2 Florida on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. View the full tournament schedule HERE.

Fans can purchase season tickets for only $65 at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.

BOX SCORE 
 
About USF Softball
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.