TAMPA, Fla. (March 5, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team begins American Conference play on the road at Memphis on Friday. The Bulls (17-8) and the Tigers (7-13) are set for a three-game series starting Friday. Because of forecasted bad weather, South Florida and Memphis will play a doubleheader on Friday, with the first pitch at 4 p.m. ET. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Earlier this week, Alex Wilkes was ranked as the 14th-best shortstop by Softball America. She leads her team with a .353 batting average, six home runs, 19 runs scored, and 29 RBIs.
 
Series History vs Memphis:
South Florida and Memphis will face off for the 41st time on Friday. The Bulls lead the series 36-4. USF has won the last 22 matchups. The Bulls are 11-1 against the Tigers in Memphis.
 
Note-A-Bulls:
Kathy Garcia-Soto is tied for second in the NCAA with four triples, which leads the American Conference. She is tied for 25th in the nation with 51 assists. She is tied for 61st in the country and for third in the conference with seven doubles.
 
Alex Wilkes is tied for 34th nationally and leads the conference with 49 assists. She is tied for 71st in the NCAA and is second in the conference with six home runs. Her 29 RBIs are tied for 21st in the country and lead the American.
 
McKenna Schroding is tied for 25th nationally and shares the American Conference lead with two shutouts.
 
Belle Sardja is tied for third in the NCAA and leads the conference with three saves. She is also tied for 18th nationally with 15 appearances, which is the most in the American.
 
Kiley Strott tied for 32nd in the nation and is fourth in the conference, with five runners thrown out trying to steal.   
 
Anne Long ranks 29th in the NCAA with a 1.20 ERA, leading the conference. 
 
Carley Ernst is tied for 15th in the NCAA and is tied for third in the American with two saves.
 
The Bulls are third in the NCAA with 17 double plays turned. With 0.68 double plays per game, USF is tied for eighth in the nation and shares the conference lead. South Florida ranks second in the country with 22 sacrifice bunts. The Bulls have been hit by a pitch 19 times, tying for 23rd in the NCAA and ranking second in the conference. USF is tied for seventh in the nation and leads the league with six shutouts. 
 
South Florida leads the conference with a team ERA of 2.84. The pitching staff has posted a WHIP of 1.39, ranking second in the league.
 
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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