AUSTIN, Texas, February 28, 2025 – The University of South Florida softball team (14-5) split the opening day of the Longhorn Invitational, defeating the New Mexico State Aggies 6-5 in 10 innings before dropping a heartbreaker to the No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns, 9-5 on Friday at McCombs Field.
 
GAME ONE | South Florida 6, New Mexico State 5 (10 Inn.)
In the top of the 10^th inning, the game moved to the international rule, where the last batter in the previous inning starts on second base. Kathy Garcia-Soto advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt. A single from Elliott brought the run home with a single down the left-field line.
 
In the opening frame, Josie Foreman got the Bulls on the board first with an RBI double to left field. New Mexico State took control of the game, scoring three runs in the first and two in the third.
 
Olivia Elliott started the fifth inning with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Galligani. She scored on a couple of errors from New Mexico State to cut the lead to 5-2. The Bulls added one more run on an RBI single from DaNia Brooks.
 
South Florida tied the game in the seventh inning, scoring two runs with a triple from Foreman and a double from Alanah Rivera.
 
Belle Sardja earned the win, pitching four innings, holding the Aggies to two hits, and striking out a game-high of four.
 
GAME TWO: South Florida 5, No. 1 Texas 9
Karhys Pierce gave the Bulls the lead in the second inning with her second career home run. The No. 1 Longhorns tied the game in the second inning. 
 
The third inning saw four runs scored by South Florida off five singles and a walk. In the inning, Foreman extended her on-base streak to 17 and her RBI streak to five games.
 
Texas answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut South Florida's lead to one.
 
The Longhorns had the tying run on base for the next three innings but couldn't get across the plate.
 
Texas took its first lead of the game in the sixth inning, plating five runs. It was all they needed to take the game.
 
Anne Long earned her fifth start of her career. She pitched 3.1 innings and struck out one batter.
 
Key Stats:

• New Mexico State was the first extra-inning game for the Bulls in the 2025 season.  
• The Bulls sent three pitchers to the circle, each pitching at least three innings in game one.
• Sardja struck out a game-high four batters against the Aggies.
• Foreman has recorded an RBI in five straight games.
• Pierce produced her third multi-hit performance against the Longhorns.

 
Notables:

• Foreman has had 14 RBIs in the last five games. She led the team with three today.
• Foreman extended her on-base streak to a career-high 17 games.
• Seven Bulls produced a multi-hit game today.
• Elliott recorded her first game-winning RBI of the season against the Aggies.
• Pierce is the second freshman to hit a home run against the Longhorns in the last three meetings.
• In 6.1 innings, Sardja held the Aggies and Longhorns to no runs and struck out seven batters.

 
Up Next:
South Florida will continue the Longhorn Invitational with a pair of games tomorrow at 5 p.m. (ET) and 7:30 p.m. (ET). The Bulls will take on Abilene Christian, followed by a game against Alabama A&M.
 
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. 
 
– #GoBulls –