TAMPA, Fla., February 16, 2025 – The University of South Florida softball team (10-2) won the second annual Fonseca Memorial Tournament with a 1-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Bulls earned the title of tournament champions, with Penn State finishing second, followed by St. John's and Loyola Chicago.
 
Payton Dixon earned her fifth start this season and settled into a pitcher's duel with Penn State's Lydia Spaulding. Through four innings, Dixon had only allowed one hit. The Nittany Lions earned their second hit in the fifth inning.
 
The game's lone run came in the fourth inning on a single from Kathy Garcia-Soto that brought Alanah Rivera across the plate.
 
Penn State had a chance to tie the game on a Bulls error, but a relay got the runner out at home.  
 
Key Stats:

• Dixon pitched her second complete-game shutout of the season.
• She struck out four and only allowed one walk.
• Dixon improves to 5-0 this season.
• Five Bulls earned a hit.

 
Notables:

• The Bulls stretch their win streak to seven games.
• South Florida outscored their opponents 40-6 this weekend.
• Out of five games this weekend, the Bulls run-ruled three of them.
• Alex Wilkes led the Bulls with 10 hits, one double, one home run, 11 RBI.
• Dixon led the Bulls pitching staff with three wins and 16 strikeouts.
• Camille Ortiz-Martinez led the Bulls with two home runs this week.
• Alanah Rivera led the Bulls with three doubles this week.
• Seven Bulls were perfect on stolen base attempts this week, with Alexa Galligani stealing three.

Up Next:
South Florida will welcome the Louisville Cardinals for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, February 19. The first pitch is set for 6:30 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.