TAMPA, FLA., February 4, 2025 – USF softball coach Ken Eriksen, entering his 28th season, said he gets the same question before each year. His response never changes.
 
Hey Coach, what's your record going to be this season?
 
"Well, right now, 56-0,'' Eriksen said. "That's the plan, OK? You're going out to attack the game, not the opponent. When you attack the game, the game will present itself. That's our focus.''
 
The Bulls, seeking a return to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2022, will attack with athleticism.
 
The pitching appears sound. There are offensive threats through the Bulls' lineup. But when you watch USF in the field, you'll see a team that covers every blade of grass and every chunk of clay with speed, resolve, instincts, coordination, and softball IQ.
 
As the Bulls prepare to open their season Thursday against the Delaware Blue Hens in the USF-Rawlings Invitational — a tournament field that also includes Illinois State, No. 22-ranked Michigan, Georgia Southern, and No. 2-ranked Florida — USF will begin to justify its reputation as one of the nation's most efficient defensive teams.
 
"Our pitchers are very excited,'' Eriksen said. "Everything that's hit on the ground is getting caught. Everything that's hit in the air has a chance to get caught. It's nice for your pitcher to feel that kind of confidence, where they don't have to feel like they always need a strikeout. They can pitch to contact, get the ground ball, get the out. It's a good way to play.''
 
USF's defense begins in the middle infield with junior Kathy Garcia-Soto, the two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and graduate student Alanah Rivera. Meanwhile, Eriksen will also lean on sophomore DaNia Brooks, a versatile talent who could have a home at third base, and Alex Wilkes, an infielder/outfielder.
 
Expect junior Alexa Galligani, junior Olivia Elliott, and senior Allana Consolazio to get most of the outfield duty. Graduate student Josie Foreman and junior Camille Ortiz-Martinez will handle the catching.
 
"I just think we have a team of players who can move quick and make good decisions,'' Garcia-Soto said. "We have so much trust in each other. Are we fast? Yes. We have a lot of speed. But we also have the mental capacity to know the game and know what to do in situations once we get to the ball.''
 
"Coach Eriksen always seems to say every year that he has his most athletic team, but I believe this team has a chance to be really special,'' Rivera said. "The things our players are doing, it just makes us different than everybody else. I think it's going to give us a huge winning edge.''
 
Pitching is an important piece of the puzzle, and Eriksen said he has confidence in two returners, junior left-hander Payton Dixon and senior Belle Sardja. Meanwhile, the Bulls have also acquired Hannah Marien, who started 44 games over two seasons for Stetson. Eriksen is also high on freshman Anne Long. He says Long's movement is "incredible'' and her temperament is "ice cold … if you know what I mean.''
 
All of these elements have Eriksen believing that the Bulls can contend for the AAC championship (the Bulls host the AAC Tournament) and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I think this team is good enough to get there … but do more than just get there,'' Eriksen said.
 
The Bulls are coming off back-to-back years (32-24 in 2023 and 34-22 in 2024) without a postseason appearance.
 
USF players say they are hungry for a return.
 
"Through this whole process, we've been talking about what we need to do to not fall short,'' Garcia-Soto said. "We've got to put in the work and trust our abilities. This program is used to success, and we're ready to do what it takes.''
 
"When you don't make the NCAA Tournament, I don't think it makes for a tough offseason,'' Rivera said. "I think it makes for a more hard-working offseason.''
 
Eriksen can vouch for that.
 
"I think this team has held itself more accountable in terms of work ethic than any team I've had since 2012 (USF's Women's College World Series team),'' Eriksen said. "Winning a championship was mentioned on Aug. 25 (the first day of the fall semester), and we've been working toward that every day. Then you mention to the young ladies, 'OK, we're going to cut your winter break short, and you're going to get back here on Jan. 5, which is seven days before school starts. And they're all like, 'Let's go!' So that's very exciting.''
 
Eriksen said he goes into this season with a very good feeling about his team.
 
"You try not to get over-exuberant about it because you still want the work to go on,'' Eriksen said. "There are only so many times you can tell them, 'Hey, you guys are good.' You tell them there are no superstars here.
 
"In 2012, we had (All-American pitcher) Sara Nevins, who had one hell of a year. Lindsay Richardson played really well. So did just about everyone in the lineup. But that team worked. It was a bunch of blue-collar players. That's what I think we have this year, so I am very excited about our capabilities.''
 
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. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, South Florida 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 Triple Crown. She led the nation in ERA (0.51), Victories (37), and total strikeouts (418). Also in 2022, Alex Johns won the NFCA Golden Shoe award for leading the nation in stolen bases per game (.983).