TAMPA, Fla. (April 16, 2026) — The University of South Florida softball team hits the road for a three-game series at East Carolina, beginning Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m. The Bulls (32-13, 14-4 American) enter the weekend in first place in the American Conference standings, while the Pirates (25-21, 9-9 American) are fifth. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Earlier this week, Anne Long was named the American Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week. She went 2-1 with a save. Her loss came against No. 7 Florida. She finished the week with a 1.42 ERA and 24 strikeouts. In the weekend series against FAU, she went 2-0 with two complete games and a save. On Sunday, she pitched a 14-innings complete-game shutout with a career-high 13 strikeouts. Her 14 innings set a USF record and are the second-most by an NCAA pitcher this season. She held the toughest offense in the American Conference to a .158 average over the weekend. She recorded a 0.65 ERA against FAU with 22 strikeouts in 21.1 innings.
 
Series History vs ECU:
The Bulls and Pirates will meet for the 55th time on Friday. The Bulls hold a 39-15 series edge. USF won three of four meetings last season, including a 3-1 victory in the American Conference Tournament. South Florida is 12-6 at East Carolina.
 
Note-A-Bulls:
Kathy Garcia-Soto is tied for 13th in the NCAA with five triples, which leads the American Conference. She is also tied for ninth in the country and for first in the conference with 115 assists.
 
Alex Wilkes has 42 RBIs, leading the American Conference. She is tied for the conference lead with 14 doubles.
 
Anne Long is 19th in the NCAA and leads the American Conference with a 1.63 ERA. She is tied for 46th in the NCAA and is second in the conference with 13 wins. She is tied for fourth in the conference with two saves.
 
Belle Sardja is tied for 30th in the NCAA and is second in the conference with three saves.
 
Alexa Galligani is tied for 23rd in the NCAA with five sacrifice flies, which ranks second in the American Conference. Toryn Fulton is tied for 53rd nationally and fourth in the conference with four sacrifice flies. 
 
The Bulls lead the NCAA with 51 sacrifice bunts. USF is tied for third nationally with 28 double plays. South Florida is tied for 25th in the country with 13 triples, the most in the conference. The Bulls are 11th in the NCAA with a .978 fielding percentage, the best mark in the conference. South Florida has recorded 20 sacrifice flies, tied for 16th in the NCAA and tied for the conference lead. 
 
The South Florida pitching staff is tied for 29th in the NCAA and is tied for the American Conference lead with seven shutouts. USF ranks 24th nationally and leads the conference with a 2.84 ERA. The Bulls are tied for 36th in the nation and are second in the American Conference with a WHIP of 1.34.
 
American Conference Standings
1. South Florida – 32-13, 14-4
2. North Texas – 25-19, 13-5
3. Wichita State – 24-15, 12-6
4. Charlotte – 26-19, 10-8
5. East Carolina – 25-21, 9-9
T6. Florida Atlantic – 27-13, 8-10
T6. UTSA – 20-26, 8-10
8. Tulsa – 16-24, 7-11
9. UAB – 19-24, 6-12
10. Memphis – 15-30, 3-15
 
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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