TAMPA, Fla. (February 5, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team opened the 2026 season on Thursday against Illinois State. The Bulls (0-1) fell to the Redbirds (2-0) 5-1 in a tough game at USF Softball Stadium.
Karhys Pierce produced USF's only run of the game.
Jamia Nelson,
Kiley Strott,
Kathy Garcia-Soto, and Pierce each had one hit.
Alex Wilkes scored the lone run for South Florida. Garcia-Soto continues to prove why she is one of the NCAA's best defensive players with two diving grabs, including a double play.
Wilkes was patient in her first plate appearance of the season, drawing a two-out walk. Nelson followed with an eight-pitch walk, putting runners on first and second. Pierce delivered an RBI single, driving in the first run of the 2026 season.
Illinois State took its first lead of the game with three runs in the top of the third. The Redbirds added two runs in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run by Bella Atkinson.
Belle Sardja got the start in the circle for the Bulls and went 3.0 innings, striking out five.
Carley Ernst pitched two innings in relief, striking out two.
McKenna Schroding and
Hannah Marien each tossed a scoreless inning in relief. As a staff, the Bulls combined for nine strikeouts.
Atkinson led Illinois State with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate and drove in four RBIs. Paige McLeod threw a complete game and recorded two strikeouts.
Up Next
The Bulls return to action on day two of the USF Rawlings Invitational on Friday. South Florida will face a Michigan team receiving votes in the polls. The Bulls and Wolverines are scheduled for a 4:35 p.m. first pitch 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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