IRVING, Texas, May 6, 2025 – Payton Dixon and Belle Sardja picked up all-conference first team honors for the University of South Florida softball team. On Tuesday, the American Athletic Conference announced its yearly postseason awards and all-conference teams. Olivia Elliott was named to the All-AAC Second Team.
 
Dixon, the left-handed pitcher, had a career year and was named to the All-AAC First Team. This is her second year earning an all-conference selection after a second-team honor last year. She was a two-time AAC Pitcher of the Week and was named to the Honor Roll twice this season. Dixon had a career-high 19 wins in 175.0 innings, which is 16th in the NCAA. Her 41 appearances are 13th in the country. She produced 100 strikeouts for the second-straight year with a tally of 104. She notched a season-high 10 strikeouts against Kent State on Feb. 22. She has thrown nine complete games, including three shutouts. In relief, she has collected four saves.
 
Sardja, the right-handed pitcher, earned her first All-AAC first team selection after a historic season in the circle. She was a three-time AAC Pitcher of the Week and a two-time selection for the NFCA Top Performances. She broke the USF single-season saves record with nine, which is tied for second in the NCAA. She has 15 saves for her career, which are the third most in USF history. She tied a career high with 14 wins. She produced an ERA of 1.90 in 110.2 innings of work. She tallied 72 strikeouts so far this season. She has tossed six complete games, including two shutouts. She struck out a season-high six batters against Delaware (Feb. 6) and East Carolina (March 22).  
 
Elliott, the junior outfielder, earned her first postseason honor with an All-AAC Second Team nod. She is the 44th toughest batter in the country to strikeout. She leads the team with 55 runs scored, which is tied for 33rd in the NCAA and second in the AAC. She paces the team with 61 hits. She has 21 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, eight doubles, three triples, and three home runs for the season.
 
Up Next:
The Bulls will be the No. 2 seed in the 2025 American Athletic Conference Tournament. South Florida's first game is on Friday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The tournament will be played at the USF Softball Stadium.
 
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. 
 
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