Bulls Visit Arizona for Hillenbrand Invitational
EVENT: Hillenbrand Invitational
USF SCHEDULE:
| Friday, Feb. 15 |
Saturday, Feb. 16 |
Sunday, Feb. 17 |
| #7 Alabama (1:15 PM) |
Cal State Fullerton (11 a.m.) |
New Mexico 11 a.m. |
| #9 Arizona (5:45 p.m.) |
UIC (1:15 PM) |
|
LOCATION: Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium, Tucson Ariz.
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TAMPA, Feb. 14, 2019 – USF softball will spend the weekend in Tucson, Ariz., at the Hillenbrand Invitational taking on top competition including No. 7/8 Alabama, No. 9/9 Arizona, RV/RV Cal State Fullerton, Illinois-Chicago and New Mexico.
USF opened the season at home with the USF Opening Weekend Invitational stretching from Feb. 7-10. The Bulls went 1-4 in over the weekend and wrapped up a long homestand with a friendly exhibition against the No. 2 team in the world, Team Japan.
The Bulls opened their 2019 campaign with a 3-1 win over Illinois State, defeating the Redbirds in the season opener for the third straight year. USF's opponents in its opening tournament included this weekend's Hillenbrand Invitational host, Arizona. The Wildcats narrowly defeated the Bulls, 4-1, in last weekend's contest.
Redshirt sophomore
Bethaney Keen made a splash in the opening weekend with a four-game hitting streak in her first four games. She led the team batting .385 with a .846 slugging percentage that included two home runs, one of which was her first at-bat after being out in 2018 due to injury. She registered five hits, two RBI and two runs with 11 total bases. She started all five games at first base and recorded 33 putouts for a .971 fielding percentage.
Scouting the Opponent
No. 7/8 Alabama
USF will open the tournament against the Crimson Tide who are undefeated (5-0) after opening their season at the Trojan Classic. Alabama run-ruled all three teams at the tournament, Murray State, Maryland and host Troy in at least one of their matchups.
The Crimson Tide is led by sophomore Kaylee Tow who went 9-for-13 in the Tide's opening weekend. She hit three doubles and one home run and boasts a 1.154 slugging percentage with 15 total bases. She recorded 33 putouts at first base and registered a perfect fielding percentage.
Five pitchers saw action for Alabama with Montana Fouts leading the way pitching 13 complete innings for a 2-0 record. She fanned 13 and held batters to a .163 average.
No. 9/9 Arizona
USF took on Arizona in the Bulls' opening weekend at home last week, but fell, 4-1. Arizona went 3-2 in the tournament with wins over then-No. 19 Michigan and a run-rule win over Illinois State. The Wildcats fell to then-No. 5 Florida, 3-2. All runs scored in the contest were results of home runs. Arizona also fell NC State, 4-1.
Junior Dejah Mulipola leads the Wildcats at bat with a .533 average in five games. Mulipola went 8-for-15 in five games, scattering eight hits and scoring four runs. The catcher hit three home runs and one double for a .563 slugging percentage.
RV/ RV Cal State Fullerton
The Titans went 4-1 in their season opening tournament at home, the Titan Classic. CSFU Welcomed Idaho State, Buffalo, Louisville, Utah State and Pacific. Freshman Alex Neil leads the way for the Titans. Neil started all five games, hitting .429 in 14 at-bats.
Freshman Dani Martinez went 2-1 in the circle last weekend and pitched 14 innings. She struck out seven batters, limiting opponents to just three hits.
Illinois-Chicago
UIC went 2-3 in the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina. The Flames took on then-No. 8 Tennessee, Boston University, Rider University, and host Coastal Carolina. UIC fell in a run-rule in all three of its losses, but walked off in a 4-3 win over Boston University and dominated Rider in five innings, 17-0.
Senior Skylee James started all five games for the Flames and averaged .538 with seven hits and a .923 slugging percentage. She batted in seven and hit two doubles and one home run. Marley Hanlon leads the pitching staff with a 3.87 ERA and a 1-1 record. Hanlon limited opponents to a .296 average and didn't walk a single batter in 12.2 innings.
University of New Mexico
New Mexico opened its season in the New Mexico State Invitational, 2-1. The Lobos defeated UTEP and Creighton handily, 15-6 and 8-0, respectively, but fell to New Mexico State in a close 8-9 contest.
Junior Cameryn O'Grady went an impressive 7-for-9 last weekend, starting all three games. She recorded seven RBI and posted a 1.778 slugging percentage. Three different pitchers took the circle for New Mexico. Kiana Spencer recorded a 1.17 ERA in a complete game shutout win over Creighton, plus one inning against New Mexico State. She held opponents to a .182 batting average and pitched six total innings.
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 –
