WICHITA, Kan., March 29, 2025 –
Josie Foreman and
Alex Wilkes provided the power as the University of South Florida Softball team bounced back against Wichita State on Saturday. The Bulls (29-10, 8-3) recorded 10 hits as they defeated the Shockers (17-17, 5-6) 11-4.
Foreman recorded two hits, including her seventh home run of the season. She has 18 home runs for her career, which is one shy of cracking the top 10 in USF history. She tallied a game-high four RBIs. Wilkes produced a 2-for-3 day at the plate with three RBIs. She hit her team-leading ninth homer of the season, which moved her into a tie for 10th in the USF single-season home run list.
Belle Sardja got the start in the circle and improved to 10-3 on the season. She struck out three batters. She surrendered three earned runs on five hits.
Anne Long tossed 1.2 innings of relief. She gave up one earned run on two hits.
Payton Dixon closed out the game with 1.1 innings of work. She notched one strikeout and did not allow a hit.
Olivia Elliott started the game by reaching safely on a catcher's interference.
Alexa Galligani reached on a fielder's choice. Wilkes dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third with one out. Foreman put the Bulls on the board first with a three-run homer to center.
Alanah Rivera kept the inning going with a walk. After
Camille Ortiz-Martinez reached on an error by the shortstop,
DaNia Brooks drew a walk to load the bases.
Jamia Nelson notched an RBI ground out to second as the Bulls scored four runs in the first inning.
With Galligani on second and two outs in the top of the second, Foreman delivered once again. She recorded an RBI single through the right side and extended the USF lead to 5-0.
The Shockers got on the board in the bottom of the third on a solo home run and cut the Bulls' lead to 5-1.
Ortiz-Martinez led off the top of the fifth and was hit by a pitch. Brooks followed with a four-pitch walk.
Sam Walz grounded out and moved the runners to second and third.
Kathy Garcia-Soto came up with a huge RBI double down the left-field line. Two batters later, Wilkes recorded an RBI single on a sinking liner toward short. USF extended its lead to 7-1.
Wichita State added three runs in the home half of the fifth off two home runs and cut the South Florida lead to 8-4.
Ortiz-Martinez got the sixth inning started with a one-out single to second base. Brooks drew another walk. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. Walz produced an RBI single to left on a sinking line drive and put the Bulls up 8-4.
The Shockers had two runners on and threatening with two outs. Ellee Eck hit a ball to deep center field. Galligani made a spectacular catch to rob Eck of a home run, and she kept Wichita State from adding any runs.
Galligani led off the top of the seventh with a double down the left-field line. Wilkes gave the Bulls some insurance runs with a two-run home run to left field. Brooks stole second, and a throwing error by the catcher allowed Rivera to score from third. The Bulls went on to win the game 11-4.
Key Stats:
- Josie Foreman launched her seventh home run of the season. She has 18 for her career, one shy of moving inside the top 10.
- Alex Wilkes hit her ninth home run of the year and moved into a tie for 10th on the single-season home run list at USF.
Notables:
- Olivia Elliott has reached base safely in 15 straight games, with a single in today's game.
- The Bulls are 26-0 when they record more hits than their opponents.
- DaNia Brooks extended her hitting streak to seven games and has reached safely in eight straight games.
Up Next:
The Bulls and the Shockers conclude the three-game series on Sunday. The first pitch for the rubber match is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Tickets:
Tickets to watch Bulls softball at the USF Softball Stadium may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or clicking
HERE.
Follow us:
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Softball news, follow the Bulls on social media (X / Facebook / Instagram).
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).
–
#GoBulls –
