TAMPA, April 12, 2023 – The University of South Florida (27-18, 6-3 ACC) softball team took both games against the Stetson Hatters (22-20, 6-6 ASUN) behind multi-homerun performances from Marissa Trivelpiece (Sugarloaf, Pa.) and Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers) on Wednesday night.  
 
GAME ONE | USF 2, Stetson 1
 
Stetson took the early lead, scoring one unearned run off a single to center field. The Bulls were held hitless until the third inning when Jordyn Kadlub (Wesley Chapel) bunted her way on with a single.
 
In the sixth inning, Kathy Garcia-Soto (Tampa) reached on a fielding error by the Hatters shortstop. Ponn stepped up to the plate and hit her third home run of the season to give USF the 2-1 lead.
 
Stetson threatened USF's lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with the tying run at second and the winning run on first. Megan Pierro (Lutz) made a diving catch to end the game and seal the win for South Florida.
 
Gabriella Nori (Weston) threw her sixth complete game of the year, striking out four Hatters. She only allowed one unearned run on six hits.
 
GAME TWO | USF 13, STETSON 1
 
South Florida dominated the second game of the double header behind an eight-run sixth inning highlighted by home runs from Ponn, Trivelpiece, and Lydia Castro (Lithia).
 
Trivelpiece had two home runs in the game, her first a three-run shot in the fifth inning to give USF the 5-1 lead after Stetson intentionally walked Ponn, whose RBI single in the third had put the Bulls ahead 2-1.
 
Pierro and Hallie Bryant (Trenton) scored the Bulls' third-inning runs, with Pierro earning a walk and coming around on Bryant's sac bunt that was thrown wildly to first.  
 
Jaden Martinez (Tallahassee) earned her 13th start of the season. She pitched 2.2 innings and struck out one. To complement her incredible day hitting, Ponn also pitched a season-high 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit while issuing no walks.
 
 
NOTABLES

• Trivelpiece and Ponn had two homeruns on the day. Trivelpiece struck out three times in Game 1 but came through big in the nightcap.  
• The last time a player had two home runs in one game was on March 20, 2022 when Josie Foreman hit two against Canisius.
• Eight runs are the second most runs the Bulls have scored in an inning this year. The most was nine against ECU.   
• Ponn earned her third win of the season, while going a combined 5-for-6 with six RBI in the doubleheader.
• Stetson Game 1 starter Lauren Hobbs had come off back-to-back wins, allowing one run total, against ASun leader Jacksonville State after the Gamecocks had started league play 10-0. Hobbs also has complete-game wins against Georgia, South Carolina and UCF but Ponn's homer dealt her the defeat. Game 2 starter Hannah Marien has three recent 1-0 victories and Stetson led by that score through two innings before the Bulls got the bats cranking.

 
Up Next
South Florida will continue their seven-game road stand next Wednesday, April 19 as they head to Gainesville for a double-header against SEC powerhouse, Florida Gators.  
 
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.