TAMPA, FLA., February 12, 2025- The University of South Florida softball team (5-2) swept the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (3-5) on Wednesday night in a doubleheader at the USF Softball Stadium. The Bulls were led by sophomore Alex Wilkes, who matched a program-high of seven RBI, and Belle Sardja pitched five hitless innings.
 
Game One | FGCU 4, South Florida 12 (5 Inn.)
FGCU and South Florida each scored two runs in the opening frame. An Eagles error allowed the Bulls to have runners in scoring position. One swing from Alex Wilkes tied the game at two apiece.
 
The Bulls took the 4-2 lead in the second inning with a double from Olivia Elliott and a single from Wilkes. Two innings later, with the game tied at four, Wilkes hit a three-run home run over the left field wall to give the Bulls a 7-4 lead.
 
The Bulls closed the door on the Eagles in game one with a five-run inning for a run-rule in the fifth. The Bulls loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch and two walks. Wilkes's fourth hit brought in her seventh RBI, matching a program-high set on April 16, 2011, when Stephanie Medina had seven against Seton Hall.
 
Two more runs would come across the plate on back-to-back walks from Josie Forman and Alanah Rivera. Karhys Pierce would hit her second walk-off hit of her career with a two-RBI double.
 
Payton Dixon earned her third win of the season after pitching 4.1 innings and striking out four batters. Belle Sardja pitched the final 0.2 innings and earned her second save.
 
Game Two | FGCU 2, South Florida 5
The Bulls opened the scoring in the second frame after an Eagle's error allowed a run to score. Sam Walz scored two more runs on a single through the middle for her first two RBIs of her career.
 
South Florida loaded the bases in the fifth inning with a FGCU error and two walks. Galligani's sacrifice fly scored the Bulls' fourth run of the game. The final run for the Bulls came in the sixth inning. Grace Chin earned her first career hit and scored on an RBI from DaNia Brooks.
 
Sardja pitched six innings, holding the Eagles to one hit. She had a no-hitter through five innings and struck out four. Dixon earned her first save of the season after pitching the final 0.2 innings.
 
 
Notables

• Wilkes' seven RBIs in the first game matches a program-high set by Stephanie Medina, who had seven against Seton Hall on April 16, 2011.
• Her four hits are the most since March 10, 2021, when Bethany Keen had four against New Mexico State.
• Elliott matched her career-high of four runs in game one. She previously set it against Delaware in the season opener.
• Alexa Galligani matched her career-high of three runs in a game, also previously set against Delaware.
• Walz recorded her first two RBI of her career in game two.
• Chin earned her first collegiate hit in game two.
• Dixon improves to 3-0, while Sardja improves to 2-0.

 
Up Next
South Florida will welcome Penn State, Loyola Chicago, and St. John's for the second annual Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF starting on Friday. The Bull will open the tournament on Friday with a doubleheader against Penn State and Loyola Chicago. South Florida and Penn State will play at 2 p.m., with the Loyola Chicago game set to follow at 4:30. Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
 
About USF Softball
The South Florida 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. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 28^th season in 2025 and has accumulated 1,117 wins, ranking seventh among active DI head softball coaches, USF has produced 10 NFCA All-Americans, two USA Softball Top 10 Player of the Year, and one NFCA Pitcher of the Year. In 2022, Georgina Corrick became the first player in softball history to earn the NCAA Pitching Triple Crown. She led the nation in ERA (0.51), Victories (37), and total strikeouts (418).
 
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (X / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.