TAMPA, Fla. (February 15, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team closed out The Fonseca Memorial Tournament with its second walk-off in as many days on Sunday. South Florida (8-4) and DePaul (7-4) needed extra innings to decide the winner, but the Bulls emerged with a 2-1 victory in eight innings. 

Olivia Elliott extended her streak of reaching base safely to 11 games with a single in today's game. Elliott also scored the game-winning run after being placed at second base to start the eighth inning under the international tiebreaker rule. Alexa Galligani led the Bulls with a 3-for-3 day at the plate, including a walk-off single on a bunt. Alex Wilkes led the team with two walks. Kathy Garcia-Soto has reached safely in seven straight games.  
How It Happened
The game began as a pitchers' duel, with neither team scoring until the fifth inning. Toryn Fulton led off the bottom of the fifth with a bunt single to the pitcher. Garcia-Soto reached on a sacrifice bunt that the first baseman misplayed, allowing Fulton to advance to third. Galligani drove in the game's first run with a sac fly to center field. South Florida took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning. 
 
The Blue Demons tied the game in the top of the sixth when Chelsea Parker led off the inning with a home run.
 
DePaul loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the eighth inning. Anne Long showed her poise and induced three ground balls, getting out of the inning unscathed. 
 
Elliott was placed on second base under the international tiebreaker rules. Wilkes was intentionally walked to put USF runners on first and second with no outs. Jamia Nelson dropped down a perfect bunt single to the pitcher. Elliott made a perfect read and broke for home after she saw the two DePaul players run into each other. The Bulls claimed a 2-1 victory.
 
Belle Sardja got the start in the circle and went 2 1/3 innings, scattering two hits. Hannah Marien tossed 3 1/3 innings in relief, striking out three and allowing one earned run. Long picked up her second win of the season in 2 1/3 innings of relief. She struck out two and did not allow a hit.
 
Notables
• Kathy Garcia-Soto extends her streak of reaching base safely to seven games.
• Olivia Elliott has reached base safely in 11 consecutive games.
• Anne Long picked up her second win of the season.  
• This is the first extra-inning game of the season for the Bulls.
• South Florida has won back-to-back games via walk-offs.
 
Up Next
The Bulls will remain at the USF Softball Stadium for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, February 18. South Florida will host Stetson for a doubleheader, with the first pitch at 3:05 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
Tickets:
Season tickets for the upcoming softball season are now available, starting at $65.  Fans may also add a general admission baseball season ticket for an additional $25, providing access to all home baseball games. For more information or to purchase season tickets, visit the official website at gousfbulls.com or contact the ticket office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or click HERE.
 
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About USF Softball
The South Florida softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 18 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 29th season in 2026 and has accumulated 1,171 wins, ranking seventh among active DI head softball coaches, USF has produced 10 NFCA All-Americans, two USA Softball Top 10 Players 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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