GAINESVILLE, Fla. (May 19, 2018) – An incredible season for the USF Softball team came to an end in Gainesville Saturday night. The Bulls shut out Bethune-Cookman, 3-0, to survive and advance but came up short against Ohio State, 3-2.  
 
USF 3, BCU 0
In the bottom of the third inning, senior Amber Atkinson drew a walk that would spark a lot of movement for the Bulls (39-22). The Citrus, Fla., native advanced when freshman AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Penn.) sent a shallow shot towards the Wildcats' (31-26) shortstop and beat out the throw.
 
Senior Astin Donovan (Guilford, Conn.) put both runners in scoring position with a well-placed sacrifice bunt, and junior Lindsey Devitt (Jacksonville, Fla.) hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Atkinson. Senior Cassidy Boyle (Buchanan, N.Y.) RBI singled to right field for her second hit in what would be a perfect 3-for-3 game. Bruni scored on the play, giving USF a 2-0 advantage.
 
Boyle's streak was made complete in the fifth inning with a solo home run over the left field fence to help seal USF's 3-0 shutout.  
 
Senior Kalen "JoJo" McGill (Gainesville, Fla.) earned the win for USF, with a save from senior Hannah Parker (Altoona, Iowa). The veteran pitchers worked together to keep Bethune-Cookman at bay, and McGill pitched 6.1 innings with four strikeouts, allowing just four hits.  
 
OSU 3, USF 2
Just 30 minutes after a win over Bethune Cookman, USF would take the field again for a sudden death game against Ohio State. The Bulls carried their shutout-win momentum in to the first and second innings of the game with early runs.
 
Devitt's first at-bat produced a single up the middle that would set up perfectly for her to advance on a wild pitch, and eventually score on a single by sophomore Brooke Hartman (Port Orange, Fla.).
 
Atkinson lead off with a single to left field, and moved up when Cook reached on an error, and Bruni advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Atkinson took advantage of a passed ball by Ohio State, and slid home just in time, giving USF a 2-0 advantage.
 
Ohio State took the lead with three runs in the third inning. The Buckeye's ace Shelby McCombs retired 12 straight Bulls to preserve the lead and secure a spot in tomorrow's championship day against No. 2 Florida.
 
Quotable Notable

• Senior Cassidy Boyle was a perfect 3-for-3 in against Bethune Cookman
• Senior Amber Atkinson recorded a run in each game
• Tonight marks the final game for seven seniors

 
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.