TAMPA, Fla. (April 10, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team felt the hometown love as 1,280 fans, the second-largest crowd of the season, came out to see South Florida take on Florida Atlantic on Friday night.
Anne Long was phenomenal in the circle as the Bulls (30-13, 12-4 American) defeated the Owls (26-14, 8-8 American) 3-2.
Long threw her sixth complete game of the season and improved to 12-4 in the circle. She did not allow a hit until there was one out in the fourth inning. She finished the game with a season-best eight strikeouts. She allowed two runs on five hits.
Offensively,
Alexa Galligani led the charge with her third home run of the season.
Olivia Elliott and
DaNia Brooks recorded the other hits for the Bulls. Brooks drove in the winning run. Elliott has reached base safely in nine straight games.
Karhys Pierce drew three walks, extending her streak of reaching base safely to 12 games.
How It Happened
Long got the start in the circle for the Bulls. In the top of the second inning, she struck out the side. She added another three-up, three-down inning in the top of the third.
Galligani scored the game's first run with a solo home run to deep right field. USF took a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning.
The Owls tied the game in the top of the fourth inning with a run on three hits.
Pierce led off the bottom of the fourth with a 10-pitch walk. Brooks reached safely on a fielder's choice to the third baseman. The FAU third baseman tried to throw out Pierce at second but threw the ball into right field, allowing Pierce to score on the throwing error. The Bulls regained the lead, 2-1, as the game moved into the fifth inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Pierce drew an eight-pitch walk.
Sam Walz entered the game as a pinch runner for Pierce. Brooks delivered a clutch, two-out double to right-center, scoring Walz from first. South Florida took a 3-1 lead into the seventh.
The Owls made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh, but Long remained unfazed and closed out the game. The Bulls won 3-2.
Notables
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Anne Long threw her sixth complete game of the season, improving to 12-4. She posted a season-high eight strikeouts.
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Karhys Pierce drew three walks, extending her streak of reaching base safely to 12 games.
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Olivia Elliott has reached base safely in nine consecutive games.
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Alexa Galligani hit her third home run of the season.
• The Bulls improved to 26-0 when they have a lead after five innings.
• South Florida moved to 21-1 when they hold opponents to two or fewer runs.
• USF has won 30 games in a season for the 15th straight season, excluding the shortened season due to COVID.
Up Next
The Bulls and the Owls return to the USF Softball Complex for game two of the three-game series on Saturday, April 11. First pitch is scheduled for 4:35 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.
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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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