Bulls Shutout Lehigh and Elon to Open Spring Break Classic
TAMPA (March 16, 2018) – USF needed just 11 total innings on Friday to shut out both Lehigh and Elon, 8-0, and extend its win streak to 12 games.
The Bulls have hit home runs in 10 of their last 12 games, for a total of 14. During its win streak, USF has outscored its opponents, 81-16, with an impressive five shutouts. All six of USF's pitchers have combined for 57 strikeouts and just nine walks.
USF 8, Lehigh 0
The Bulls (19-12) needed just five innings to defeat the Mountain Hawks (4-13) on Friday afternoon, and senior
Astin Donovan (Guilford, Conn.) continued the USF's home run streak with her first of the season.
USF jumped ahead early, scoring four runs on three hits in the first inning. Senior
Cassidy Boyle (Buchanan, N.Y.) batted in the first run of the game with a single up the middle.
The Bulls loaded the bases with two outs, and junior
Mia Fung (Tampa) hit an incredible three-RBI liner to the left field fence to clear the bases. Sophomore
AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Penn.) used her speed to tack on USF's fifth run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Boyle.
Donovan sent her first home run of the season over the fence to left-center in two-run fashion, scoring junior
Samantha Worrell (Oviedo, Fla.). The Bulls drew four walks in the bottom of the fifth to seal the deal in a shutout victory over Lehigh.
Senior
Hannah Parker (Altoona, Iowa) allowed just one hit from the Mountain Hawks and held them at zero through four innings to earn the win.
USF 8, Elon 0
The Bulls continued to be aggressive at the plate, taking an early 2-0 lead in the first inning against the Phoenix (13-11). Donovan went 2-for-3 with one RBI and three stolen bases and was the first to get on base for USF. She singled on a bunt in the first inning, and Boyle slammed her third home run of the season over the center field fence to give USF a 2-0 lead it would hold until the fifth inning.
The Bulls added one run in the fifth inning, when Bruni's speed helped her score on a fielder's choice. The Phoenix threw home to try and tag her out but weren't able to catch her.
The Bulls got a walk-off win in the bottom of the sixth frame, when they scored a whopping five runs on five hits. Senior
Amber Atkinson (Citrus, Fla.) drove in two runs with the Bulls' third homer of the day, also her third homer of the season.
Sophomore
Kelsey Lay (West Palm Beach, Fla.) came in to pinch hit for Cook and hit the second double of her career to left-center, putting her in perfect position to make it home on a single by Bruni. Bruni's single made it past the Elon center fielder, giving her a chance to score the final run of the game.
Freshman
Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) had an astonishing day in the circle with 10 strikeouts in 19 at-bats. She didn't walk a single batter and allowed just two hits. Corrick improved her record to 4-2.
Quotable
Head coach Ken Eriksen on attention to detail in big wins…
"We have talked about attention to details all year long. If they are just going to relax and use their eyes, then they can read and respond. That's what they're doing, they're playing ball. They aren't trying to do too much, they aren't overthinking. They are just taking a look at situations and playing ball. They have to maintain that against everybody they play. Elon is a good team, they knocked off North Carolina twice this year, that's a pretty good schedule. You know they can play. We are seeing the ball at the plate, and we are getting the good base-running."
On Astin Donovan…
"She's playing ball. She's comfortable right now, she's having fun. That's a big deal, that f-u-n word. You can't worry about tomorrow, you can't worry about yesterday, you have to worry about what's going on in the moment, and that's what she's doing right now."
Key Stat
81 – The Bulls have scored 81 runs in their 12 straight victories
Notable
- Astin Donovan went 5-for-6 with three RBI and three stolen bases.
- The Bulls had 17 hits in two games.
- USF's defense didn't have a single error against Lehigh or Elon.
- Elon has only been shut out one other time this season, by NC State.
Up Next
The Bulls are headed to Clearwater, Fla., Saturday to continue the Spring Break Classic. They will take on St. Joseph's at 2:30 p.m. and Princeton at 4:45 p.m.
Fans can purchase season tickets for only $65 at
USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
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.
– #GoBulls –
