TULSA, Okla. (March 20, 2026) –
Alex Wilkes and
Alexa Galligani each had two hits to lead the University of South Florida softball team on Friday in Tulsa. The Bulls (25-8, 7-0 American) beat the Golden Hurricane (8-19, 0-7 American) 6-4 and stretched their winning streak to nine games.
Wilkes and Galligani both went 2-for-4 at the plate. Wilkes extended her hitting streak to seven games and notched her 13th multi-hit game of the season. She hit her team-leading eighth home run. Galligani scored a run and has scored in five straight games.
Kathy Garcia-Soto has safely reached base in eight consecutive games and extended her hitting streak to six games.
Olivia Elliott produced a hit and has reached base safely in eight games.
How It Happened
The Golden Hurricane scored first in the bottom of the second inning with a home run by Daeya Moses.
The Bulls responded in the top of the third inning.
Toryn Fulton led off with a single to right field. After stealing second base, Garcia-Soto reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. Galligani drove in USF's first run with an RBI single through the right side. Elliott advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. The Bulls scored two more runs on a throwing error by the catcher that allowed Wilkes to reach base safely and move to second.
Karhys Pierce replaced Wilkes with an RBI double to right center. The Bulls took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the third inning.
Tulsa tied the game in the bottom of the third inning with three runs on two hits.
Wilkes gave the Bulls the lead again with a solo home run to left center in the top of the fifth inning. USF held a 5-4 advantage going into the bottom half of the inning.
Pierce walked to start the top of the seventh inning for the Bulls.
DaNia Brooks moved Pierce to second with a groundout to first.
Grace Chin entered to run for Pierce.
Jamia Nelson extended the USF lead to 6-4 with an RBI single up the middle. The Bulls went on to win 6-4.
Anne Long started in the circle for the Bulls and went two innings. She struck out one batter. She allowed four runs on four hits.
Carley Ernst tossed five scoreless innings of relief to get the win and moved to 4-3 on the season. She struck out two batters and scattered five hits.
Notables
• South Florida boasts a nine-game winning streak.
• The Bulls are 7-0 in conference games since the 2012 season as members of the Big East, when the team started 12-0.
• Olivia produced a hit and has reached base safely in eight games.
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Alex Wilkes extended her hitting streak to seven games and achieved her 13th multi-hit game of the season. She hit her team-leading eighth home run.
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Kathy Garcia-Soto has safely reached base in eight consecutive games and extended her hitting streak to six games.
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Alexa Galligani has scored in five straight games.
• Carley is 4-3 inside the circle for the season.
• South Florida is 24-0 when it scores three or more runs.
• The Bulls remain undefeated at 21-0 when leading after five innings.
Up Next
The Bulls and Golden Hurricane will meet for game two on Saturday, March 21. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET 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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#GoBulls –
