TAMPA, Fla. (February 19, 2026) –
Alexa Galligani led the University of South Florida softball team in the opening game of the USF Invitational against Saint Joseph's on Thursday. The Bulls (11-4) defeated the Hawks (2-5) 6-2.
Galligani led the Bulls with a 3-for-3 game with two runs scored. It was her fourth game of the season with three hits.
Toryn Fulton extended her hitting streak to six games with a 1-for-2 game at the plate.
Alex Wilkes led the team with three RBIs. It was her fifth game of the season in which she recorded multiple RBIs.
Kathy Garcia-Soto has reached base safely in 10 straight games after a walk in tonight's game.
How It Happened
Garcia-Soto led off the bottom of the first with a five-pitch walk. Galligani followed with a single to second.
Olivia Elliott moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt.
Alex Wilkes drove in two runs with a ground-rule double to center field. Nelson singled off the pitcher to put runners at first and second.
Lexi Beldowicz singled to left center, driving in one run, and a center fielder's fielding error allowed a second run to score. South Florida held a 4-0 lead after one inning.
The Hawks scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning on two hits, cutting the USF lead to 4-2.
In the home half of the fifth, Galligani led off with a triple down the right-field line.
Alex Wilkes dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt to score Galligani. South Florida took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning.
Beldowicz struck out but reached on a wild pitch.
Sam Walz pinch ran for Beldowicz.
Kacey Wilkes singled up the middle to put runners on first and second with one out. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third,
Toryn Fulton recorded a SAC fly to left field that scored Walz. The Bulls took a 6-2 lead into the seventh.
Belle Sardja, who entered the game in the sixth, closed out the seventh inning and earned her third save of the season.
Carley Ernst started and went four innings. She earned her first win of the season, improving to 1-1. She struck out three batters and scattered three hits.
Hannah Marien tossed one inning in relief, surrendering two earned runs.
Notables
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Alexa Galligani led the Bulls with three hits and extended her hitting streak to four games. It was her fourth game of the season with three hits.
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Toryn Fulton extended her hitting streak to six games.
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Kathy Garcia-Soto has reached base safely in 10 straight games via a walk tonight.
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Belle Sardja recorded her third save of the season.
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Carley Ernst recorded her first win of the season in the circle.
• The Bulls improved to10-0 when they outhit their opponents.
• South Florida is 7-0 when it holds the opponents to two or fewer runs.
Up Next
The Bulls continue the USF Invitational on Friday, February 20. South Florida faces Marist on ESPN+ at 7:05 p.m.
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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