TAMPA, FEB. 22, 2019 – USF opened the USF-Rawlings Invitational with a pair of impressive performances against RV/RV Virginia Tech and Georgia State.
 
USF (6-6) came back from a 2-run deficit when it surged ahead with six runs in the sixth inning, ultimately winning 7-2. Senior pitcher Nicole Doyle (Aurora, Ohio) capped off the evening with a 1-hit performance against the Panthers.
 
USF 7, Virginia Tech 2
The Hokies (9-2) got on the board first, scoring two runs in the top of the third with an in-the-park homer. The Bulls responded in the bottom of the fourth, when freshman Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hill, Md.) and senior Lindsey Devitt (Jacksonville, Fla.) each hit singles to kick off a five-hit inning that would see six Bulls cross home.
 
Redshirt sophomore Bethaney Keen (Bradenton, Fla.) reached first on an error, which allowed Sheehan to score. Senior Macy Cook (Uniontown, Ohio) and freshman Dezarae Maldonado followed up with a pair of singles to tack on two more runs and give USF a 3-2 lead.
 
Freshman Jaycie Michael (Mt. Dora, Fla.) and junior AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Pa.) each wore a pitch to push in two more runs with the bases loaded. A sacrifice fly by Brooke Hartman sent home Michael to give USF a 6-2 lead before the end of the inning.
 
USF added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Michael hit her first career triple and was batted in by junior Kelsey Lay (West Palm Beach, Fla.) who hit a single down the left field line.
 
Sophomore Georgina Corrick earned her fourth straight victory against Virginia Tech. She pitched five full innings and limited the Hokies to just two runs, striking out three.
 
USF 4, GSU 0
USF led the Panthers (1-10) 1-0 after just one inning. Bruni led off with a walk and stole second and third. She scored when Devitt hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
 
Georgia State's only hit was a bunt single in the top of the third, and the Bulls responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Michael hit a single and stole second before being batted in by a double that dropped perfectly inside the left field foul line. Cook extended her hitting streak to six games when she hit her second RBI single of the day, she now leads the team with eight RBI this season.
 
USF's final run came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Keen hit her second double of the night. Freshman Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.) also extended her hitting streak to six games and recorded her second RBI of the season batting in redshirt sophomore Brooke Leistl (Valrico, Fla.) who was pinch running for Keen.
 
Quotable: Pitchers Corrick and Doyle, Head Coach Ken Eriksen
 
Key Stat
1 – Doyle limited the Panthers to just one hit in her complete game, shutout win
17 – 13 Bulls combined for 17 hits in two games
 
Notable

• Cook and Pierro are both on a six-game hitting streak
• Cook leads the team with eight RBI this season
• 13 different Bulls made up USF's 17 hits in two games
• Keen, Pierro, Bruni and Devitt all had a multiple hit game in one of the Bulls' two contests
• Keen had her fourth multi-hit game of the season in USF's win over Georgia State with a pair of doubles
• Four players have reached-base streaks of five games or more including Pierro (9), Keen (7), Cook (6) and Bruni (5)

 
Up Next
USF will take on Georgia State (not before 3 p.m.) and Texas State (not before 5:30 p.m.) on Saturday, and Texas State (not before 11:30 a.m.) on Sunday.
 
About USF Softball
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 –