TAMPA (March 25, 2018) –  A grand slam by senior Astin Donovan highlighted a six-run fourth inning in the Bulls 9-0 shutout over UConn (13-19, 0-3). USF swept the opening series of conference play and advanced to 3-0 in The American.
 
The Bulls (25-13, 3-0) took a 3-0 lead in the second inning when junior Macy Cook (Uniontown, Ohio) 2-RBI singled with a blooper to right center. Freshman Jasmine Haynes (Ocala, Fla.) stole second and forced an error by the second baseman to help score Samantha Worrell (Oviedo, Fla.).
 
USF loaded the bases and scored two runs on balls in the fourth inning before Donovan (Guilford, Conn.) sent her first career grand slam over the right field wall to seal the Bull's 9-0 run-rule victory.
 
Quotable
Senior Astin Donovan on her first grand slam…
"It feels like hard work paying off. I've been struggling a little bit in the beginning of the year, so I was just looking for solid contact and I got it."
 
Head coach Ken Eriksen on Donovan's performance…
"She's seeing the ball really, really well, and when you're in that type of mode at the plate it's not hard to pick the pitches you want. She got the count to 3-2, and just sitting cookie right here, it's a no-brainer if you're a hitter, you just sit in one spot because the pitcher has to throw it there, she's got to throw a strike or a ball. So, you're just sitting on the cookie, and that's what she did. She's very mature, that's what seniors do. She played well all weekend. That's what you want out of your seniors, and I think we are getting some pretty good leadership out of that group right now."
 
Head coach Ken Eriksen on the team being able to adapt…
"We talked about that in the beginning of the game, that we might see every one of their pitchers. So, for our hitters to be relaxed and take a look at the middle of the ball, don't worry about who's throwing it, don't worry about what kind of spin it is, stay on the plate and do the things you've got to do, I thought that was a pretty good approach."

Key Stat
8 – USF drew eight walks in the 9-0 victory
 
Notable

• Freshman Georgina Corrick earned her eighth win and walked just one batter in four innings
• USF was able to adapt to four pitching changes by the Huskies
• Macy Cook went 1-for-1 with two RBI

 
Up Next 
USF will travel to Memphis for the first road series next week. The Bulls will play Thursday at 6 p.m. (ET), Friday at 3 p.m. (ET) and Saturday at 11 a.m. (ET).

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.