TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2025 –
Alex Wilkes went 4-for-4 at the plate for the University of South Florida softball team on Friday against East Carolina inside the USF Softball Stadium. The Bulls (27-8, 6-1) defeated the Pirates (17-11, 4-3) 6-5 and extended their winning streak to 10 games.
Wilkes produced her second 4-for-4 performance on the season. She drove in four runs and scored twice. She hit her team-leading eighth home run of the season.
Josie Foreman went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and added walk.
Olivia Elliott was 1-for-2 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored.
Payton Dixon got the start in the circle and went 6.2 innings. She improved to 13-3 on the season. She tallied six strikeouts. She gave up seven hits and surrendered five runs, but only one run was earned.
Belle Sardja picked up her fourth save of the season with one strikeout.
Elliott got the top of the first inning started with a bunt single to the pitcher. A throwing error by the pitcher allowed Elliott to advance to second. After a ground out moved Elliott to third, Wilkes ripped a double to left field that drove in Elliot from third. With the bases loaded and two outs,
Karhys Pierce drew a walk and extended the Bulls lead to 2-0.
ECU scored four runs in the top of the second and took a 4-2 lead. None of the runs were earned.
USF was unfazed and answered in the home half of the inning.
Kathy Garcia-Soto and Elliott drew back-to-back walks to start the bottom of the second. Wilkes was patient at the plate and launched a 3-1 pitch to deep center field for a three-run homer. She gave the Bulls a 5-4 lead after two innings of play.
Pierce led off the bottom of the third inning with a four-pitch walk.
DaNia Brooks followed with a single to right field and moved up Pierce. Garcia-Soto dropped down a sac bunt that moved Pierce to third and Brooks to second. Elliott produced a sac fly that provided the Bulls an insurance run and extended the USF lead to 6-4.
East Carolina cut the South Florida lead to 6-5 in the top of the sixth inning on a sac fly.
The Pirates were able to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning with two outs. Sardja came into the game to relieve Dixon. Sardja needed just four pitches for the strikeout and secured the 6-5 victory for the Bulls.
Key Stats:
- Alex Wilkes hit her team-leading eighth home run of the season. She is one shy of moving into a tie or 10th on the single-season home run list.
- Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to eight games. She has reached base safely in 11 straight.
- Payton Dixon improved to 13-3 on the season and tallied six strikeouts.
- Belle Sardja recorded her fourth save of the season.
Notables:
- The USF pitching staff has allowed only one earned run in the last three games.
- The Bulls added two doubles on the day, extending their season total to 62. USF entered the game tied for the most doubles in the NCAA.
- The Bulls improved to 24-0 when they outhit their opponents.
Up Next:
South Florida and East Carolina meet for game two on Saturday, March 22. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and can be listened to on Bulls Unlimited.
Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls softball at the USF Softball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking
HERE.
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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 28th 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).
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#GoBulls –
