TAMPA, FEB. 23, 2019 – USF opened its day at the USF-Rawlings Invitational with a win over Georgia State, 6-2, and closed with a close loss to -/RV Texas State, 4-3.
 
The Bulls jumped ahead early against the Panthers to secure a 6-2 victory, and battled Texas State to the very last out in a close 4-3 loss.
 
USF 6, GSU 2
Junior AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Pa.) led off with a walk in the top of the first inning and gave USF a quick lead when she advanced on a pair of groundouts, and crossed home after redshirt sophomore Bethaney Keen (Bradenton, Fla.) hit an RBI single to left field. Bruni and Keen joined forces once again in the third inning, adding a run when Bruni singled and again advanced on a pair of groundouts so she could score on another RBI single by Keen.
 
USF (7-7) had a three-run burst in the fourth inning, as juniors Kelsey Lay (West Palm Beach, Fla) and Aubrey Ledbetter (Anthem, Ariz.) each drew a walk to open the inning. Junior Brooke Hartman (Port Orange, Fla.) entered to pinch hit and scored Lay on a sacrifice fly to left field. Ledbetter made it home when freshman Jaycie Michael (Mt. Dora, Fla.) RBI singled to right field. Freshman Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.) also singled to right field and stole second. She forced an error by the shortstop, giving Michael a chance to make it home for 5-0 lead.
 
In the fifth inning senior Lindsey Devitt (Jacksonville, Fla.) singled to the shortstop and advanced on a throwing error before stealing third. The infielder was batted in by Lay on a sacrifice fly to left field.
 
The Panthers (1-12) loaded the bases in the top of the seventh to try and rally. A walk pushed in the first run, and the second scored on a ground out before the end of the inning.
 
Senior Cheyenne Eggens (Vienna, Ohio) earned her first win of the season over the Panthers. She pitched six full innings, limiting GSU to just three hits and two runs.
 
 
Texas State 4, USF 3
USF and Texas State (7-5) remained scoreless through three innings, but the Bobcats took a 4-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of two-run homers. USF responded in the bottom of the frame with two straight doubles. Devitt delivered a hard hit to the right field fence and scored when Lay followed suit sending a rocket to left field.
 
USF added two runs in the bottom of the fifth with Bruni singled to the pitcher, and Michael made it on base with a close play at first. Michael chopped a ball just over first base, and sprinted to first, eventually diving to make it to the bag before the first baseman was able to touch. Both Bruni and Michael made it home on a deep single up the middle by Pierro, who extended her hitting streak to eight-straight games.  USF was able to hold Texas State at four through the remaining innings, but couldn't overcome the Bobcats in the close, 4-3 loss.
 
The Bulls pitched by committee, with senior Nicole Doyle (Aurora, Ohio), Eggens and sophomore Georgina Corrick all contributing. Doyle allowed just three hits in 4.2 innings.
 
Quotable: Utility player Megan Pierro, Head coach Ken Eriksen
 
Key Stat
4 – USF held both opponents to four hits
8/9 – The Bulls scattered eight and nine hits in their two games
 
Notable

• Ledbetter logged her first career hit with a double to left field
• Pierro extended her hitting streak to eight games
• Keen leads the Bulls offensively batting .400, and now leads the team in RBI with nine
• Eggens recorded her first win of the season against Georgia State

 
Up Next
The Bulls will close out the USF-Rawlings Invitational against 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 –