TAMPA, March 5, 2025 – The University of South Florida softball team (17-7) split the midweek doubleheader with the Siena Saints (6-6) on Wednesday night at the USF Softball Stadium. The Bulls took the first game with a score of 7-1 before falling in game two with a score of 6-1.
 
GAME ONE | South Florida 7, Siena 1
The Bulls jumped out to the early lead, scoring three runs in the first three innings. South Florida quickly got runners on with back-to-back walks. A sacrifice bunt from Alex Wilkes put runners in scoring position. Josie Foreman's sacrifice fly gave the Bulls the 1-0 lead in the first.
 
The Bulls scored two runs in the third, fourth, and fifth. Alex Wilkes hit her third home run of the season to give the Bulls the 3-0 lead in the third inning. DaNia Brooks got on third with a single, a stolen base, and a single from Olivia Elliott. Alexa Galligani's sacrifice fly gave South Florida the Bulls' fourth run. Alex Wilkes' RBI double capped off the scoring for the Bulls in the fourth inning.
 
South Florida's last two runs came in the fifth inning on an RBI double from Jamia Nelson and an RBI single from Olivia Elliott.
 
Belle Sardja earned her eighth start. She pitched 4.2 innings, holding the Saints hitless through three innings. Payton Dixon pitched the final 2.1 innings, only allowing one hit.
 
GAME TWO | South Florida 1, Siena 6
After both teams had scored in the first inning, the game settled into a pitcher's duel. After five innings, first-year pitcher Anne Long struck out a career-high eight batters.
 
Siena took the lead in the sixth inning, scoring five runs. Long struck out one more batter to set her career-high of nine strikeouts.
 
Dixon made her 17^th appearance in the sixth inning and pitched 1.1 innings.
 
Key Stats:

• Sardja earned her seventh victory, while Dixon earned her third save.
• Brooks set a career-high of two stolen bases in game one.
• Nelson matched a career-high of 11 putouts, previously set against Abilene Christian.

 
Notables:

• The Bulls are three home runs away from matching last season's total of 19.
• Three players are currently tied with three home runs this season.
• Long struck out a career-high nine batters.
• Wilkes has three multi-RBI games this season. She is second on the team with 18.

 
Up Next:
South Florida will start conference play with a three-game series against the UAB Blazers this Friday through Sunday. All three games 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. 
 
– #GoBulls –