TAMPA, Fla., March 30, 2024 – The University of South Florida softball team (24-15, 4-8 AAC) fell to the North Texas Mean Green (21-13, 10-2 AAC) on Saturday afternoon in an eight-inning pitcher's duel. The Bulls fell with a final score of 2-0.
 
Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) and Mackenzie Childers settled into a pitching duel, not allowing a hit through the first three innings. The Mean Green earned the first hit of the game in the fourth inning with a double but was held scoreless.
 
South Florida earned its first hit in the bottom half of the inning with a single from Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg), but the Bulls were also held scoreless.
 
The Mean Green threatened to score in the fifth inning after two walks and a passed ball. Dixon's sixth strikeout of the game ended the inning and kept the game scoreless.
 
South Florida earned its second hit of the day in the sixth inning. Rian Eigenmann (Millville, N.J.) hit a single up the middle to get a runner on.  
 
After two walks in the eighth inning, the Mean Green hit a two-RBI double to take the 2-0 lead.
 
Notables

• Dixon struck out 10 batters, her fourth time with 10+ strikeouts this season.
• She pitched her eighth complete game of the season.
• Eigenmann and Rivera earned the Bulls two hits.
• Alexa Galligani (White Plains, N.Y.) stretches her on-base streak to 11.
• Rivera stretches her hit streak and on-base streak to six games.

 
Up Next
South Florida will head back on the road for a road trip to the birthplace of Rock'n'roll for a three-game series against the Memphis Tigers next Friday through 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 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.