TAMPA, Fla. (February 20, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team faced another NCAA Tournament team from last year, Marist, on Friday night.
Alex Wilkes led USF with two hits as the Bulls (12-4) defeated the Red Foxes (5-6) 3-1 on day two of the USF Invitational.
Jamia Nelson led the team with two RBIs, her third game with multiple RBIs.
Alex Wilkes went 2-for-3 with an RBI, her fifth multi-hit game of the season. She scored a game-high two runs.
Kathy Garcia-Soto drew a walk and extended her streak of reaching base to 11 games.
Toryn Fulton went 1-for-2 and extended her hitting streak to seven games.
Anne Long started the game in the circle and struck out a season-high seven batters.
How It Happened
Garcia-Soto drew a six-pitch walk to start the bottom of the first inning for the Bulls.
Alex Wilkes recorded a two-out double down the left-field line to put runners on second and third. Nelson followed with a double to left center that plated two runs. USF took a 2-0 lead after the first stanza.
The Red Foxes cut the Bulls' lead in half, 2-1, in the top of the fifth inning with a run on one hit and two USF errors.
Alex Wilkes led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo blast to left field. Her third home run of the season put South Florida ahead 3-1 after six innings.
Carley Ernst entered the game in the top of the seventh to close out the game for the Bulls. She struck out one batter and allowed no hits on her way to her first save of the season. The Bulls won 3-1.
Long got the start in the circle and went six innings in the winning effort. She improved to 4-2 on the season. She struck out a season-high seven batters. She allowed one unearned run and scattered four hits.
Notables
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Toryn Fulton extended her hitting streak to seven games and has reached base safely in nine straight games.
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Kathy Garcia-Soto has reached base safely in 11 straight games with a walk tonight.
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Jamia Nelson led the team with two RBIs, marking her third game with multiple RBIs.
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Alex Wilkes went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. It was her fifth multi-hit game of the season.
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Anne Long picked up her fourth win of the season.
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Carley Ernst recorded her first save of the season.
• The Bulls improved to 11-0 when they outhit their opponents.
• South Florida is 8-0 when it holds opponents to two or fewer runs.
Up Next
The Bulls are back on the diamond on Saturday for day three of the USF Invitational. South Florida faces Boston College for the second time this season. The Bulls and Eagles are scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
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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