TAMPA, Fla. (April 15, 2026) – Three days after her marathon 14-inning shutout performance, University of South Florida softball sophomore pitcher Anne Long went national on Wednesday morning.
 
Long's historic effort — Sunday's 1-0 victory over Florida Atlantic in USF's longest softball game ever — was highlighted during her appearance on the popular SiriusXM "Full Ride" college sports program, featuring Chris Childers and Rick Neuheisel. Childers welcomed Long to the show and introduced her as "Ms. 14 Innings."
 
Long, who was also summoned to a Tuesday news conference at USF, seemed a bit bemused by the attention. But she took it all with a happy shrug, returning to live pitching in Wednesday's practice as the first-place Bulls (32-13, 14-4) prepared for their weekend road trip to East Carolina (25-21, 9-9) in the American Conference.
 
It's about looking ahead, not looking back, as the Bulls strive for a championship finish. But USF head coach Ken Eriksen, seeking perspective, admitted that Sunday's game ranked among his all-time top five with the Bulls (he has coached 1,746 at USF).
 
"What you're seeing in real time, for me at this point in my career, given the context and history, as soon as it's over, you can say, 'Wow, that was impressive!'" said Eriksen, who added that FAU pitcher Autumn Courtney also deserved praise because she essentially matched Long's effort, pitch for pitch. "Anne and Coach Karla (Claudio Rivera, pitching coach) were on the same page about calling the pitches, but Anne's execution of each pitch was phenomenal. I mean, really phenomenal." 
 
"It was the kind of thing where Anne probably won't realize how special that game was until her career is over. To throw a 14-innings shutout, to do it with runners in scoring position a few times, and to get out of jams, was just an exercise in pitching mastery."
 
Afterward, Long said her arm felt fine, but her legs were tired. She threw a career-high 218 pitches and recorded 13 strikeouts. Had the game continued into the 15th inning, she was prepared to keep pitching.
 
In the 10th, FAU loaded the bases, but Long struck out. In the 13th, FAU had runners at second and third, and Long escaped again.
 
In the 14th, FAU's Lily Holtje smacked a leadoff double off the wall.
 
"When someone hit that double off me, I think it was a time when I really needed to flush it and just let it go," Long said.
 
Strikeout. Strikeout. Pop out.
 
FAU's half-inning was over.
 
USF won it in the 14th when Kathy Garcia-Soto singled and stole second. She tagged up on Alexa Galligani's fly ball to center field, and the throw skipped past FAU's third baseman, allowing Garcia-Soto to score.
 
"I knew my team was going to come through … it was just a matter of when," Long said.
 
Long, who went 7-5 as a freshman last season, was recruited from Sanford Seminole High School (also the alma mater of USF all-time great pitcher Georgina Corrick). Eriksen liked Long's drop-ball, composure and training (she worked with noted pitching coach Jodi Bayles).
 
Long had opportunities last season on a staff that featured Payton Dixon and Belle Sardja, but she has clearly hit a new level, having recorded complete games in her last five American Conference starts.
 
"I think I have improved," Long said. "I think I'm more trusting of myself and my defense. I'm not a strikeout pitcher most of the time (Long beat Wichita State on March 28 with a complete game and zero strikeouts). That game (FAU) was out of the ordinary for me. My defense brings it every single game. I think we have one of the best defenses in the nation."
 
"I'm never nervous (if there's a baserunner). I always think we have a chance for a double play. Having a great defense behind me is really helpful."
 
Long, a psychology major considering a career in nursing, spoke matter-of-factly with Childers and Neuheisel about her performance. "Full Ride" generally focuses on college football and college basketball, often spotlighting the modern landscape of college sports, including the financial structure of NIL and revenue sharing.
 
Neuheisel: "Anne, let me ask you this question because it's fascinating to me. The world of college athletics today, compared with when I played 100 years ago, and even 10 years ago, has changed vastly … how much of the conversation is about money, deals, and getting paid, as compared with the youthful days of playing, when it's just all about the team? What is it like for you?"
 
Long: "For our team, I would say it's not really about the money. I think it's more about the people on the team and the love we have for each other. … I don't think much about the brand deals. I probably should. … We all want more from our experience here. I think I'm learning how to manage stress and pressure, especially in high-pressure situations, and you can't fold under pressure. I'm also meeting some of my best friends, people I'm going to know for the rest of my life.''
 
Neuheisel paused, audibly sighing.
 
"Oh, that's good news. That's good to hear."
 
Long said she loves it at USF, adding that Eriksen "made me feel like this was home for me and he really wanted me here. I think that's important to go where you feel wanted."
 
Now, Long has a permanent spot in USF softball lore — forever.
 
"We watched Anne (in high school), and she kept maturing and improving," Eriksen said. "She had great command and great movement. The only thing she lacked, honestly, was someone in college who actually believed in what she could do. We put the full-court press on her, and she came to USF."
 
"She's a special kid, no doubt. You're starting to see the fruits of her labor. She's putting mileage behind her — game mileage — and she's embracing her role in these big games. She's very humble, but we have so much confidence in what she can do. Anne had an all-time game to remember, but she has many more games ahead of her, and we can't wait for those, either.''
 
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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