TAMPA, Fla., May 9, 2025 – The University of South Florida softball team secured a spot in the American Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game after a 3-1 victory against East Carolina.
DaNia Brooks led the Bulls (42-14-1) with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored in the win over the Pirates (31-26) inside the USF Softball Stadium on Friday.
The Bulls will be headed to the AAC Tournament Championship game for the fourth time in program history. South Florida improved to 4-0 against East Carolina in the AAC Tournament. Get your tickets for the championship game
here.
DaNia Brooks led the Bulls offensively with a 2-for-2 day at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
Alexa Galligani added a hit and a run. She extended her streak of reaching base safely to 20 games.
Olivia Elliott notched a hit and an RBI. She has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games.
Alanah Rivera has reached safely in 16 games after she was hit by a pitch.
Camille Ortiz-Martinez drew two walks and extended her streak of reaching base safely to 13 games.
Payton Dixon got the start in the circle for the Bulls. She went 3.2 innings in the no-decision. She struck out one batter. She scattered three hits and surrendered one earned run.
Belle Sardja finished the game and went 3.1 innings in relief. She struck out three batters and surrendered just two hits. She improved to 15-4 on the season.
ECU's Emma Jackson led off the game with a solo home run to right field.
Alanah Rivera led off the home half of the second inning and was hit by a pitch.
Camille Ortiz-Martinez drew a six-pitch walk to give the Bulls runners on first and second with no outs.
Karhys Pierce dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Brooks tied the game with an RBI single up the middle.
Galligani led off the bottom of the third inning with a triple to right center. Wilkes gave USF its first lead of the game with a single through the left side. South Florida led 2-1 after three innings.
Brooks singled to lead off USF's home half of the sixth inning. Garcia-Soto moved Brooks to second with a sac bunt. Elliott singled through the right side, which allowed Brooks to score from second. The Bulls held a 3-1 lead after six innings, and Sardja secured the victory.
Key Stats:
- South Florida will play in its fourth AAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday.
- USF improved to 4-0 against ECU in AAC Tournament games.
- The Bulls are 14-2 at home against conference opponents this season.
Notables:
Up Next:
South Florida will take on North Texas for the AAC Tournament Championship on Saturday, May 10. The Bulls and Mean Green are scheduled for a noon first pitch on ESPN2. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
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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