TAMPA, Fla. (April 30, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team completed its second consecutive comeback in a thriller against North Texas at USF Softball Stadium on Thursday.
Olivia Elliott and
Karhys Pierce each recorded two hits, and
Toryn Fulton hit a two-run home run as the Bulls (38-15, 19-6 American) defeated the Mean Green (27-25, 14-11 American) 5-4 on a walk-off.
South Florida remains tied for first in the American Conference standings with Wichita State.
Elliott and Pierce both went 2-for-3 for the USF offense. Pierce added a run scored and extended her hitting streak to seven games. Fulton finished 1-for-2 with a clutch home run.
Kathy Garcia-Soto produced a game-high two runs. With her bunt single, Garcia-Soto extended her hitting streak to seven games.
Jamia Nelson extended her hitting streak to six games.
How It Happened
Garcia-Soto drew a seven-pitch walk with one out in the bottom of the first. Galligani reached on a fielding error by the second baseman. Wilkes drove in the game's first run with a single to center. The Bulls took a 1-0 lead into the second.
The Mean Green took the lead in the top of the second inning with two runs on four hits. UNT had runners on the corners with one out, but
Anne Long induced a ground ball to second, and Garcia-Soto turned a double play.
North Texas added two runs on two hits and benefited from three errors. UNT took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Nelson led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to center.
Cali Chapman pinch-ran for Nelson, and
Sam Walz pinch-hit. Walz laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. Fulton swung at the first pitch and launched it over the wall in left-center. Elliott was hit by a pitch. Garcia-Soto reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs, Galligani delivered an RBI double to left-center, scoring Garcia-Soto. The Bulls tied the game at 4-4 after six.
Pierce led off the home half of the seventh with a double down the left-field line.
DaNia Brooks laid down a sac bunt, and a throwing error by the pitcher led to a walk-off as Pierce scored from second. South Florida won 5-4.
Long threw her 11th complete game of the season and improved to 17-5. She struck out three batters and allowed four runs, only two of which were earned, on seven hits.
Note-a-Bulls
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Jamia Nelson extended her hitting streak to six games.
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Karhys Pierce extended her hitting streak to seven games.
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Kathy Garcia-Soto extended her hitting streak to seven games.
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Toryn Fulton hit her seventh home run of the season.
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Anne Long picked up her 17th win of the season and her 12th in conference play.
• The Bulls improved to 31-4 when they out-hit their opponents.
• USF improved to 14-1 when they hit one home run.
• South Florida improved to 36-2 when it scores three or more runs.
Up Next
The Bulls and Mean Green return to USF Softball Stadium on Friday for Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
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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