TAMPA (April 8, 2018) –  USF earned its series win over Houston with a 3-run home run by Brooke Hartman in game two, and a 5-run fourth inning in game three. The Bulls advanced to 29-15, and 7-2 in The American.
 
USF 3, Houston 2
USF and Houston started their second game of the series on Saturday evening, but had to suspend the game due to weather. Before the delay, Houston took a 2-0 lead through the bottom of the fourth. The teams resumed play Sunday morning, and the Bulls were ready to rally.
 
Senior Astin Donovan (Guilford, Conn.) recorded her 200^th hit with a blooper over the shortstop, and junior Lindsey Devitt (Jacksonville, Fla.) got on base with a fielder's choice that resulted in no outs. Brooke Hartman (Port Orange, Fla.) came in just in time to give USF a 3-2 lead when she hit a 3-run home run over the left field fence.
 
Freshman Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) came in the fifth inning following the rain delay and earned her tenth win of the season when she held off the Cougars allowing just one hit and not a single walk in three innings.  
 
USF 7, Houston 4
In the series finale, USF was once again down by two to Houston, but senior Amber Atkinson (Citrus, Fla.) kicked off the Bulls comeback in the second inning with a solo home run. Junior Mia Fung hit an RBI single to tie up the game, and the teams remained tied until the bottom of the fourth.
 
USF surged ahead with a 5-run fourth inning where the Bulls loaded the bases and scored one on run balls, followed by an RBI single by senior Lauren Evans (Land O' Lakes, Fla.). Donovan doubled to right center and scored two more to help USF pull away. The Cougars would attempt a rally in the sixth inning, tacking on two more runs, but USF held them in the seventh to earn the win.
 
Corrick earned both of the series wins this weekend. She pitched 5.2 innings in game three against the Cougars and fanned four with just one walk.
 
Quotable
Head Coach Ken Eriksen Donovan's 200^th hit…
"In one day, Astin Donovan gets her 200^th and Jasmine Haynes gets her first. That's how it's played in college. You pass on to the next athlete. Donovan is the player who is going to play well in the big games. Lauren Evans had some great jabs today also. If we get those two in the top of the lineup, Cassidy Boyle said it best, 'If those two get on, it makes my job in the three spot a lot easier,' and she's exactly right. They did a great job today."
 
Astin Donovan on her 200^th hit…
"It's a pretty great feeling. I don't really know what to say to be honest. I just focus on the game, and the game rewarded me back."
 
Key Stat
200 – Senior Astin Donovan recorded her 200^th career hit in the second game of the series and is one of just 14 Bulls in the history of USF Softball to do so.
 
Notable

• USF has won 22 of its last 25 games
• Astin Donovan went a perfect 3-for-3 in the second game of the series
• Donovan leads the team in batting average at .364, with Lindsey Devitt not far behind at .361
• Freshman Jasmine Haynes recorded the first hit of her career with a bunt in the final game of the series
• Brooke Hartman's 3-run home run put her in the lead with eight this season
• USF has recorded 37 home runs this season

 
Up Next 
The Bulls will travel to Tulsa, Okla., next week for a series against the Golden Hurricane April

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. 
 

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