BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 22, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team returned to Mary Bowers Field for Game 2 against UAB on Saturday. Carley Ernst and Anne Long combined for a two-hitter, while Alexa Galligani and Karhys Pierce each had two hits. The Bulls (36-15, 17-6 American) defeated the Blazers (20-29, 7-16 American) 3-1. 
 
South Florida remains tied with Wichita State atop the American Conference standings.  
 
Pierce extended her hitting streak to five games with two hits today. She notched a double and scored a run. Galligani finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Kathy Garcia-Soto was 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored. She also extended her hitting streak to five games.
 
How It Happened
Garcia-Soto produced a one-out triple to get things started in the top of the first inning. Galligani grounded out to the shortstop, which drove in Garcia-Soto from third. Wilkes followed with a two-run home run to left center. The Bulls took a 2-0 lead into the second inning.
 
Pierce led off the top of the fourth inning with a single to right field. Toryn Fulton followed with a single through the right side. DaNia Brooks advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Jamia Nelson delivered a sacrifice fly to extend USF's lead to 3-0.
 
UAB got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run by Ashlyn Shirah. The Bulls still led 3-1.
 
Ernst started for USF and went three innings. She struck out one batter and allowed just one hit. Long closed out the game with four innings of relief, striking out two batters and allowing one hit. She moved to 16-5 on the season.
 
Note-a-Bulls
• Alex Wilkes hit her ninth home run of the season.
• Karhys Pierce extended her hitting streak to five games, recording two hits today.
• Kathy Garcia-Soto extended her hitting streak to five games, recording her team-leading sixth triple.  
• Anne Long picked up her 16th win of the season.
• The Bulls remain undefeated at 29-0 when they lead after five innings.
• USF moves to 26-3 when it holds opponents to fewer than two runs.
• The Bulls improve to 34-2 when they score at least three runs.
• South Florida is 13-1 when it hits a home run.
 
Up Next
USF and UAB conclude the series on Sunday, April 26. First pitch is scheduled for noon ET 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 –