TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (February 28, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team was back in action for two games on day two of the T-Mobile Crimson Classic on Saturday. South Florida (16-8) fell to No. 5 Alabama (18-0) 8-0 and to St. Thomas (13-5) 2-1.
Kathy Garcia-Soto recorded a perfect 3-for-3 game at the plate against St. Thomas. She recorded a single, double, and triple, and she also recorded the lone RBI for South Florida.
Game One: Alabama 8, South Florida 0
The Crimson Tide got on the board in the first inning on a Brooke Wells hit. Alabama added three runs in the bottom of the third on three hits and two walks, extending its lead to 4-0 after three innings.
Olivia Elliott broke up the perfect game with a single to right-center in the top of the fourth.
Marlie Giles hit a grand slam in the home half of the fourth inning, extending the Crimson Tide's lead to 8-0 after four innings.
The Bulls did not go down without a fight.
Kiley Strott led off the top of the fifth with a double off the left-center wall.
Grace Chin pinch-ran for Strott. Chin advanced to third on a strikeout. USF was unable to score the runner from third, and Alabama won 8-0.
McKenna Schroding started the game in the circle and pitched two innings. She struck out one batter. She allowed four earned runs and suffered her first loss of the season.
Hannah Marien pitched an inning in relief. She struck out one batter and allowed one earned run.
Belle Sardja tossed an inning in relief and struck out one batter. She allowed three earned runs.
Game Two: St. Thomas 2, South Florida 1
Jamia Nelson reached on an error by the shortstop to start the bottom of the third. With two outs, Garcia-Soto tripled off the right-center wall, driving in
Sam Walz, who pinch ran for Nelson.
The Tommies scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning. They had one hit and benefited from one USF error. St. Thomas took a 2-1 lead into the sixth. USF was unable to tie the game, falling 2-1.
Anne Long got the start in the circle in game two and went five innings. She fell to 5-3 on the season. She struck out four batters and allowed two runs, only one of which was earned.
Up Next
The Bulls close out the T-Mobile Crimson Classic on Sunday, March 1. South Florida faces Kent State at 10 a.m. ET.
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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