TAMPA, Fla. (March 17, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team travels for a midweek non-conference game against FGCU on Wednesday, March 18. The Bulls (23-8) are riding a seven-game winning streak, while the Eagles (9-17) come into the game with a three-game winning streak. USF and FGCU are scheduled for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
 
Earlier this week, Alex Wilkes was named the American Conference Player of the Week and received an NFCA Top Performance award. Carley Ernst earned an honorable mention in the American Conference and was also recognized as an NFCA Top Performance. Wilkes posted a batting average of .778 for the week, going 7-for-9 at the plate. She drove in five runs, hit three doubles, and scored twice. Ernst went 1-0 on the mound during the week, including a complete game against Charlotte. She posted an ERA of 0.88 and limited the 49ers to a .087 batting average. 
 
Series History vs FGCU:
USF and FGCU will meet for the 25th time on Wednesday. The Bulls lead the series 18-6. South Florida has won eight of the last nine matchups. USF holds a 4-3 record in games played at FGCU. 
 
Note-A-Bulls:
Kathy Garcia-Soto is tied for sixth in the NCAA with four triples, which leads the American Conference. She is tied for 25th in the nation with 67 assists.
 
Alex Wilkes is second in the conference with seven home runs. Her 38 RBIs are tied for 23rd in the country and lead the American.
 
McKenna Schroding is tied for 48th nationally and shares the American Conference lead with two shutouts.
 
Belle Sardja is tied for eighth in the NCAA and ranks second in the conference with three saves. She is tied for 48th in the country and tied for first in the conference with two shutouts.
 
Kiley Strott is tied for 48th in the nation and tied for third in the conference, with six runners thrown out while attempting to steal.   
 
Anne Long ranks 29th in the NCAA and leads the conference with a 1.62 ERA.
 
Carley Ernst is tied for 29th in the NCAA and tied for third in the American with two saves.
 
The Bulls lead the NCAA with 31 sacrifice bunts. USF is tied for fifth nationally with 18 double plays. South Florida is tied for seventh in the country with 11 triples. The Bulls are ninth in the NCAA with a .982 fielding percentage, the second-best mark in the conference. South Florida has recorded 15 sacrifice flies, which is tied for 11th in the NCAA and also leads the conference.
 
The South Florida pitching staff is tied for 16th in the NCAA and leads the American Conference with six shutouts. USF ranks 23rd nationally and has the best ERA in the conference at 2.71. The Bulls are tied for 38th and are second in the conference with a WHIP of 1.32.
 
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, 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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