TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 25, 2022 – The University of South Florida softball team dominated in both games of its doubleheader to open up the USF Tournament. The team started with its first run-rule victory of the year with an 8-0 win over Fairfield in six innings, followed by a 5-0 win over Saint Joseph's to close out the afternoon.
The Bulls out-hit their opponents 17-4 on the afternoon, posting no errors in either game to earn their second and third shutouts of the year.
Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) earned the win and combined with
Antoinette Hill (Braidwood, Ill.) to post the shutout, while
Erin Poepping (Lino Lakes, Minn.) snagged the win in game two, joining with Corrick who entered in relief to record the shutout.
Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hill, Md.) finished three-for-five on the afternoon with a team-leading four RBIs, while
Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg, Fla.) ended three-for-six with three RBIs.
Game 1 – USF 8, FFD 0 (6)
The Bulls got on the board early in game one, with
Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.) being forced home on a
Jordyn Kadlub (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) walk. South Florida extended its lead further in the inning with
Dezarae Maldonado (Winter Haven, Fla.) scoring on a wild pitch and
Alexis Johns (Sarasota, Fla.) and Kadlub crossing the plate on a Sheehan single.
The Bulls added to their lead in the fourth, with
Hallie Bryant (Trenton, Fla.) earning her first collegiate RBI by driving home
Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.) and Rivera singling and plating
Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk, N.Y.) and Bryant later inning to push the advantage to 7-0.
Looking to earn the run-rule victory, South Florida loaded the bases in the sixth inning with
Josie Foreman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) up to bat. The sophomore catcher nearly hit a walk-off grand-slam but missed the top of the fence by a matter of inches. The result was the same, however, with a run scoring on the single to end the game.
Game 2 – USF 5, SJU 0
The Bulls run-scoring ways continued in game two of their doubleheader. Sheehan singled home Maldonado to start the scoring in the second, giving the Bulls a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Rivera drove home
Abigail Ota (Redding, Conn.) and Kadlub to further the advantage.
South Florida completed its scoring in the fourth, with Sheehan driving home her fourth run of the day in Kadlub and Foreman plating Johns. The Bulls' 5-0 lead would hold through the rest of the contest, pushing the team to 8-2 on the season.
Notables
- USF's 8-2 record through ten games is the team's best mark since 2012, a team that later made the Women's College World Series.
- Foreman and Lydia Castro (Lithia, Fla.) both threw out runners in the game. Overall, the Bulls have caught four runners stealing this season, allowing only 10 stolen bases on 14 attempts.
- Kadlub finished two-for-three at the plate with three runs scored and two walks.
- Rivera was hit by her third pitch of the season in game one.
- Corrick and Hill combined to throw a one-hitter against Fairfield.
- Bulls' pitchers struck out 12 across both games (Corrick 9, Poepping 2, Hill 1).
- Johns stole her seventh base of the year against Fairfield. She's now stolen 29 while wearing the green and gold.
- Rivera tallied five assists for the second time this season in game two.
Up Next
South Florida has another doubleheader tomorrow. After a rematch against Fairfield at 2 p.m., the team battles St. John's at 4:30 p.m.
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 16 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
