USF Faces Gauntlet at St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational

USF Faces Gauntlet at St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational

Game Notes

TAMPA, Feb. 12, 2020 – The University of South Florida softball team continues its slate facing eight teams that are either ranked or receiving consideration in national polls with a trip to Clearwater, Fla. for the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational this weekend.
 
USF (0-4) has already played No. 8/11 Florida, No. 11/8 Michigan, and Fresno State (RV) in the USF-Rawlings Invitational. This weekend, the Bulls will play No. 3/2 UCLA, No. 9/9 Alabama, No. 15/15 Georgia, No. 16/16 Oklahoma State and No. 17/19 Texas Tech.
 
The Bulls opened last weekend at the USF-Rawlings Invitational, where Bethaney Keen (Bradenton, Fla.) and Madison Epperson (Tampa, Fla.) hit home runs for the Bulls. AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Pa.) also swiped three bases over the weekend.
 
Scouting the Opponents
No. 16/16 Oklahoma State (2-2)
Date: Feb. 13 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Field 9
Watch: ESPN3
Series vs. USF: OSU leads, 15-3
Players to Watch:
  • Kelly Maxwell (P - R-Fr.) – Maxwell tossed a perfect game in her collegiate debut to open the season. She is part of a pitching staff that collectively has a 1.44 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP through four games so far this season, limiting batters to a .163 average.
  • Sydney Pennington (IF - Jr.) – Pennington leads OSU in OPS so far this season, hitting with a .462/.533/1.000 slash. She's hit two home runs in four games, and added a double while driving in four runs.
Notable Results:
  • OSU 21, FAMU 0
  • No. 11 LSU 1, OSU 0
  • No. 11 LSU 3, OSU 2
Notes: Oklahoma State played in the Tiger Classic for opening weekend, playing two close games against LSU, while blowing out FAMU 21-0 in a perfect game for Maxwell. Prior to meeting the Bulls, the Cowgirls will face Virginia Tech (RV) earlier in the day.
 
No. 9/9 Alabama (1-3)
Date: Feb. 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Field 3
Watch: ESPN3
Stats: HERE
Series vs. USF: Tied, 2-2
Players to Watch:
  • Taylor Clark (IF – Sr.): Clark leads the team with a 1.162 OPS, having hit a homer and a double in her four games thus far. She also has three RBIs.
  • Elissa Brown (OF- Sr.): Brown paces Alabama with a .444 batting average. The senior also boasts a .500 on-base percentage while being a threat to advance further on the base paths.
Notable Results:
  • No. 9/8 FSU 8, BAMA 7 (8 innings)
  • No. 9/8 FSU 8, BAMA 0 (5 innings)
  • UNC 9, BAMA 8
Notes: Alabama struggled to start the season, dropping both games against No. 9/8 Florida State and one against North Carolina at the JoAnne Graf Classic. The Crimson Tide face another tough test against No. 1/1 Washington on Thursday before facing the Bulls on Friday.
 
No. 17/19 Texas Tech (5-0)
Date: Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Field 1
Watch: ESPN3
Stats: HERE
Series vs. USF: USF leads, 1-0
Players to Watch:
  • Erin Edmoundson (P/OF – Jr.): Edmoundson has pitched a team-leading 17.1 innings and has only allowed five hits (all singles) and two walks while striking out 22 batters. She leads a pitching staff that boasts a 1.11 ERA and a .180 opposing batting average.
  • Karli Hamilton (OF – R-Sr.): Hamilton has tallied seven hits and five RBI in just five games. With a team leading three doubles, she also has a 1.293 OPS.
Notable Results:
  • TTU 2, Montana 1 (10 innings)
  • TTU 9, LA Tech 5
Notes: Texas Tech's season ramps up this weekend after starting the year playing five unranked teams at the Big Easy Classic. Prior to playing USF, the Red Raiders battle No. 18/17 South Carolina, No. 20/20 James Madison and No. 15/15 Georgia.
 
No. 15/15 Georgia (5-0)
Date: Feb. 16 at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Field 1
Watch: ESPN3
Stats: HERE
Series vs. USF: Tied, 1-1
Players to Watch:
  • Ciara Bryan (OF – Sr.): Bryan has been a threat to pitching so far this season, hitting at a .455/.647/1.182 rate through five games. She's tallied two doubles and two homeruns while also stealing two bases.
  • Lauren Mathis (P – Jr.): Mathis has tallied two complete games already this season, striking out nearly two batters an inning in the process. The junior has only allowed one run and nine baserunners so far this season.
Notable Results:
  • UGA 11, Howard 1 (5 innings)
  • UGA 10, Kent State 1 (5 innings)
Notes: Georgia will also face stronger opponents at the SPCEI after three unranked opponents in its opening weekend.  
 
No. 3/2 UCLA (6-0)
Date: Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Field 8
Watch: ESPN3
Stats: HERE
Series vs. USF: UCLA leads, 9-0
Players to Watch:
  • Megan Faraimo (P - So.): Faraimo tallied three complete games in the season's opening weekend, allowing only one run over 17 innings pitched.
  • Seneca Curo (IF – Fr.): Curo has accumulated a .500 batting average through six games. She's used her six hits to hit two home runs and drive in 11 runs.
Notable Results:
  • UCLA 14, CSU Bakersfield 0 (5 innings)
  • UCLA 17, Pitt 0 (5 innings)
Notes: The Bruins are off to a hot start after emerging undefeated at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. The reigning national champions will have to defend their top-5 position against No. 9 Alabama and No. 15 Georgia before facing off against USF.

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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012. 
– #GoBulls –
 
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