TAMPA, Fla., February 14, 2025 – The University of South Florida softball team (7-2) run-ruled the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Loyola Chicago Ramblers during the opening day of the Fonseca Memorial Tournament on Friday. The Bulls defeated the Nittany Lions 12-4 before beating the Ramblers 9-1.
 
With the wins, the Bulls are now 2-0 in the tournament and are in contention for the No. 1 seed.  
 
This is the first time the Bulls have run-ruled back-to-back games since the first two games in the Memphis series in 2022.
 
Game One | Penn State 4, South Florida 12 (5 innings)
South Florida has a slow start against Penn State, not getting a hit until the fourth inning. Penn State held the 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Alanah Rivera and Camille Ortiz-Martinez hit back-to-back home runs to cut Penn State's lead to one. The Bulls scored nine runs in the fifth inning to run-rule the Nittany Lions. A grand slam from Jamia Nelson highlighted the nine runs.
 
Hannah Marien earned her first win, pitching two innings and striking out one.
 
Game Two | Loyola Chicago 1, South Florida 9 (5 innings)
The Bulls scored four runs in the opening frame on a bases-loaded single from Josie Foreman and doubles from Rivera and Karhys Pierce.
 
South Florida scored five more runs in the fourth inning to grow their lead to 9-1. The runs came off two singles, a double, and a fielder's choice.
 
With the five runs in the fourth, the Bulls are outscoring their opponents 23-9 in the fourth inning.
 
Anne Long pitched her first career complete game and earned her first win. She allowed four hits, one run, and struck out three.
 
Key Stats:

• The Bulls hit three home runs against the Nittany Lions.
• Nelson hit her first career grand slam.
• Elliott recorded her fourth three-hit performance against Loyola Chicago.
• She now leads the team with 13 hits this season.
• South Florida totaled 17 runs today in the fourth and fifth innings.
• Long earned her first career win and pitched her first complete game.

 
 
Notables:

• The Bulls have three wins in five innings this season.
• Three Bulls produced a multi-run performance against the Nittany Lions.

• Elliott has four three-hit performances this season.
• The Bulls are outscoring opponents 23-9 in the fourth inning.
• This is the first time the Bulls have run-ruled in back-to-back games since the first two games in the Memphis series in 2022.

 
Up Next:
South Florida will continue the Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF on Saturday. The Bulls will face off against St. John's at 11:30 a.m. Afterward, all teams will be reseeded to the semifinals. The Bulls will play again at 4:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls softball at the USF Softball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking HERE.
 
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.