Softball in-game huddle on Saturday vs. ECU
Chad Smith / South Florida Athletics
1
South Fla. USF 32-15, 14-6 American
2
Winner East Carolina ECU 27-21, 11-9 American
South Fla. USF
32-15, 14-6 American
1
Final
2
East Carolina ECU
27-21, 11-9 American
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
South Fla. USF 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 8 0
East Carolina ECU 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 1

W: Apple, Taylor (5-3) L: Sardja, Belle (6-5)

Game Recap: Softball | | Chad Smith

USF Softball Drops Game Two to ECU in Another Pitchers’ Duel

The Bulls are tied for first place in the conference standings

GREENVILLE, N.C. (April 18, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team returned to action for game two of a three-game series against East Carolina on Saturday. The Bulls (32-15, 14-6 American) fell to the Pirates (27-21, 11-9 American) in a heartbreaker, 2-1. 
 
South Florida is tied for first place with North Texas and Wichita State.
 
Belle Sardja threw a complete game for the Bulls. She struck out three batters and allowed two earned runs on six hits. She fell to 6-5 on the season. Alexa Galligani led the Bulls with two hits, marking her team-leading 15th multi-hit game of the season. Karhys Pierce finished the day with a hit and an RBI. Sam Walz was 1-for-1 with a run scored. Toryn Fulton, DaNia Brooks, and Kathy Garcia-Soto all had hits. Olivia Elliott extended her streak of reaching base safely to 13 games with a hit in today's game. 
 
The Pirates scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning on three hits. ECU loaded the bases, but USF limited the damage to one run.
 
Walz led off the top of the fifth inning with an infield single. With one out, Fulton laid down a perfect bunt for a single, giving the Bulls runners on the corners. Pierce tied the game with an RBI single to center field. The game was tied 1-1 as it entered the sixth inning. 
 
Erin Parker hit a walk-off home run for the Pirates, a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, and ECU won 2-1.
 
Up Next
The Bulls and the Pirates will meet for the final time this weekend on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.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.
 
Follow us:
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Softball news, follow the Bulls on social media (X / Facebook / Instagram).
 
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).
 
– #GoBulls –
 
 
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