BOCA RATON, Fla., April 5, 2025 – The University of South Florida softball team knocked off its first ranked opponent of the 2025 season on Saturday against No. 23 Florida Atlantic.
Camille Ortiz-Martinez and
Alanah Rivera provided the long ball as the Bulls (30-11-1, 9-4-1) defeated the Owls (33-7, 12-2) 7-3.
The Bulls have defeated a ranked opponent for the first time this season. This is the 71st win in program history against a ranked opponent. The Bulls have won at least 30 games in 13 straight seasons, not including the 2020 COVID-19 year.
Olivia Elliott,
Alex Wilkes,
Allana Consolazio, and Ortiz-Martinez all produced a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Wilkes and Ortiz-Martinez each drove in two runs. Elliott scored twice to lead the Bulls.
In the circle,
Belle Sardja got the start and improved to 11-3 on the year. She went 4.1innings and struck out two batters. She gave up just one earned run.
Payton Dixon went 2.2 innings in relief and picked up her fourth save of the season. She struck out one batter. She allowed two earned runs.
The Bulls scored the first run of the game on a solo home run by Ortiz-Martinez in the top of the second. USF took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning.
The Owls tied the game in the bottom of the second inning with a run on one hit.
Elliott produced a one-out single up the middle to get things started for USF in the top of the third inning.
Alexa Galligani moved Elliott to second on a ground out to third. After a wild pitch moved Elliott to third, Wilkes doubled down the right-field line as the Bulls took a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Sardja snagged a comebacker and retired the side in order as South Florida took a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning.
Rivera led off the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run to center and extended the USF lead to 3-1.
Elliott led off the top of the fifth inning with a single to right field. Galligani followed with an RBI triple down the right-field line. Wilkes notched her second RBI double of the game with a liner down the left-field line. The Bulls took a 5-1 lead into the sixth inning.
Ortiz-Martinez led off the top of the sixth inning and was hit by a pitch.
Grace Rawn came into the game to run for Ortiz-Martinez. Consolazio singled to right field.
Kathy Garcia-Soto dropped down a perfect sac bunt to move the runners to second and third. Elliott picked up an RBI with a sac fly to center field. The Bulls extended their lead to 6-1.
The Owls fought back in the bottom of the sixth innings. They scored two runs on two hits and cut the USF lead to 6-3.
The Bulls added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Ortiz-Martinez singled down the left-field line. South Florida took a 7-3 lead into the final half-inning. Dixon went three up and three down in the bottom of the frame, securing her fourth save of the season.
Key Stats:
Notables:
- The Bulls have defeated a ranked opponent for the first time this season. This is the 71st win in program history against a ranked opponent.
- Alexa Galligani extended her streak of reaching base safely to seven games with a triple in today's game and extended her hitting streak to four games.
- The Bulls have won at least 30 games in 13 straight seasons, not including the 2020 COVID-19 year.
- The Bulls are 27-0-1 when they record more hits than their opponents.
Up Next:
The Bulls and Owls return to action on Sunday for the pivotal rubber match. Neither team has lost a conference series this season. The first pitch is scheduled for noon on ESPN+.
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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