TAMPA, Fla. (April 22, 2026) –
Carley Ernst threw a complete-game, one-hitter for the University of South Florida softball team on Wednesday against FGCU. The Bulls (34-15) held the Eagles (16-29) to their fewest hits of the season, one, in a 9-0 run-rule victory.
The Bulls made history once again by having siblings play in the same game. For the first time in NCAA history, three sets of sisters played in the same game on the same team.
Abbie DeWaters,
Alice DeWaters,
Alexa Galligani,
Ava Galligani,
Alex Wilkes,
Jocelyn Wilkes, and
Kacey Wilkes all appeared in tonight's game. The Galligani sisters played in the outfield together, while the Wilkes sisters played first base, second base, and shortstop.
Kathy Garcia-Soto and
Alex Wilkes led the Bulls with two hits each, as nine different USF players recorded hits.
Alex Wilkes,
Karhys Pierce,
Toryn Fulton, and
Kiley Strott all scored twice.
Olivia Elliott produced a hit and has reached base safely in 15 straight games.
Ernst finished the game with one strikeout and allowed only one hit. She improved to 5-4 on the season, behind her third complete game.
How It Happened
The Bulls scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Strott recorded two RBIs with a double down the right-field line. Elliott followed with an RBI single to right field. Garcia-Soto drove in the final run of the inning with an RBI single up the middle. USF took a 4-0 lead into the third inning.
Fulton picked up two RBIs with a double down the left-field line to start the bottom of the third.
DaNia Brooks drove in a run with a double down the left-field line. Strott scored the fourth run of the inning when she stole home. The Bulls extended their lead to 8-0 after three innings.
Ava Galligani drove in a run in the bottom of the fourth, as South Florida took a 9-0 lead into the fifth. Ernst retired the side in order in the fifth, securing the 9-0 run-rule victory.
Note-a-Bulls
• The Bulls had three sets of sisters play in the same game. It is the first time in NCAA history that three sets of sisters from the same team played in the same game.
•
Olivia Elliott recorded a hit and has reached base safely in 15 straight games.
•
Toryn Fulton recorded her ninth multi-RBI game of the season.
•
Kiley Strott recorded her third game with multiple RBIs.
•
Carley Ernst threw her third complete game of the season and her first shutout.
• The Bulls held the Eagles to one hit. That was the first time FGCU has been held to one hit.
• It was USF's eighth shutout and just the fourth time FGCU was held scoreless.
• The Bulls improve to 24-3 when they hold opponents to fewer than two runs.
• South Florida moved to 18-1 when they scored more than six runs.
Up Next
The Bulls hit the road for the final time in the 2026 regular season. USF heads to UAB on Friday, April 24, for a three-game series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. All three games will be streamed 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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#GoBulls –
