BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 26, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team rallied from a 9-3 deficit in the sixth inning. A program-record seven doubles, along with clutch home runs from
Alexa Galligani and
Jamia Nelson, powered the Bulls (37-15, 18-6 American) to a 14-9 comeback victory over the Blazers (20-30, 7-17 American).
The six-run deficit with only six outs remaining is the largest comeback of the season and the largest deficit overcome with six outs remaining under Head Coach
Ken Eriksen. South Florida remains tied for first in the American Conference standings with Wichita State.
Olivia Elliott tied a USF single-game record with three doubles. She finished the game with three hits and three runs scored. Galligani led the Bulls with four hits, including her fifth home run of the season and a double. She tied the game-high with three runs scored. Nelson hit her third home run of the season and extended her hitting streak to five games.
Karhys Pierce finished with two hits, extending her hitting streak to six games.
Kathy Garcia-Soto also hit a double, extending her hitting streak to six games.
How It Happened
Garcia-Soto got things started with a double with one out in the top of the first. Galligani singled through the right side, moving Garcia-Soto to third.
Alex Wilkes recorded a sacrifice fly to center, and Garcia-Soto tagged up and scored from third.
UAB took its first lead of the series with six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the first inning.
Elliott led off the top of the third with a double off the center-field wall. Galligani traded places with Elliott with a double to left-center. The Bulls cut the deficit to 6-2 after three innings.
Galligani notched her third hit of the game, a solo shot to lead off the top of the fifth. USF cut UAB's lead to 6-3.
The Blazers extended their lead to 9-3 with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Bulls kept battling.
Kiley Strott led off the top of the sixth with a single to third. Elliott recorded her second double of the game, putting runners on second and third with one out. Galligani reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, allowing Strott and Elliott to score. Wilkes followed with a single through the left side. Galligani was initially called out at home but was ruled safe on obstruction by the third baseman. Pierce kept the inning alive with a single off the pitcher.
DaNia Brooks delivered an RBI double up the middle. Nelson got a 2-1 pitch she liked and launched a three-run home run to left field. The Bulls took a 10-9 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
The Blazers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but
Anne Long reentered the game to pitch and escaped the inning without allowing a run.
Toryn Fulton led off the top of the seventh with a six-pitch walk. Elliott recorded her third double of the game, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Garcia-Soto reached on a fielder's choice to second, and a throwing error by the second baseman allowed Fulton and Elliott to score. Galligani drove in Garcia-Soto with a double to center. Wilkes singled to right field to keep the rally going for USF. Pierce recorded an RBI single to center. South Florida took a 14-9 lead into the bottom of the seventh.
McKenna Schroding tossed four innings in relief for the Bulls. She struck out two batters and allowed three earned runs.
Hannah Marien tossed 1/3 of an inning and picked up the win. Long reentered the game in the bottom of the sixth. She picked up the save, pitching 2 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and allowing six runs.
Note-a-Bulls
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Olivia Elliott tied a USF record with three doubles.
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Alexa Galligani hit her fifth home run of the season and her second of the series.
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Jamia Nelson hit her third home run of the season, extending her hitting streak to five games.
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Karhys Pierce extended her hitting streak to six games.
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Kathy Garcia-Soto extended her hitting streak to six games.
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Anne Long picked up her third save of the season.
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Hannah Marien improved to 6-0 on the season.
• The Bulls set a program record with seven doubles.
• The 9-3 deficit is the largest comeback with six or fewer outs remaining in a game.
• South Florida improved to 5-0 when it scores 10 or more runs.
• USF recorded a season-high 14 runs and a season-high 17 hits.
Up Next
The Bulls return to the friendly confines of USF Softball Stadium on Thursday, April 30, as South Florida hosts North Texas for the regular-season finale. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+. First pitch is scheduled for
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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