TAMPA, Fla. (February 8, 2026) – The University of South Florida faced No. 6 Florida in the final game of the USF Rawlings Invitational on Sunday. Alex Wilkes led USF at the plate with a two-hit performance, but the Bulls (2-3) fell to the Gators (5-0) 6-1.
 
Wilkes finished the game with a 2-for-3 performance and drove in the Bulls' lone run. It is her second two-hit game of the season. Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to three games with a single today. Elliott has reached base safely in four straight games.   
How it Happened
Elliott led off the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle. Alexa Galligani grounded out to short, moving Elliott to second. Alex Wilkes ripped the first pitch she saw into left center, driving in Elliott from second base. The Bulls took a 1-0 lead into the second inning. 
 
In the top of the fourth inning, the Gators scored two runs on two hits. South Florida limited the damage to two runs despite Florida having the bases loaded with no outs. The Gators held a 2-1 lead after 3.5 innings.
 
Florida loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning, but Anne Long escaped unscathed. The Gators added two runs in the top of the sixth inning on a two-RBI double by Jocelyn Erickson. UF took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth. The Gators extended their lead to 6-1 on a two-run home run by Ella Wesolowski. Florida held on for the 6-1 win.
 
Carley Ernst started in the circle and went three innings in the loss. She struck out one batter and allowed two runs on two hits. Long tossed 2 2/3 innings in relief, surrendering two runs and recording one strikeout. Belle Sardja closed out the game for USF, going 1 1/3 innings and recording one strikeout. She allowed two earned runs. 
 
Katelynn Oxley earned the win in the circle for the Gators. She went four innings and struck out five. She allowed one earned run. Ava Brown picked up her first save of the season in three innings of relief. She struck out two batters and did not allow a hit.
 
Notables
• Alex Wilkes finished the game with a 2-for-3 performance and drove in the Bulls' lone run. It is her second two-hit game of the season.  
• Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to three games with a single today. She has reached base safely in four consecutive games.
 
Up Next
The Bulls return to USF Softball Stadium on Tuesday, February 8. South Florida faces Delaware in a doubleheader scheduled to start 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.
 
Follow us:
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Softball news, follow the Bulls on social media (X / Facebook / Instagram).
 
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).
 
– #GoBulls –