TAMPA, Fla. (May 2, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team secured its first regular-season title since 2019. South Florida earned the No. 1 seed in next week's American Conference tournament.
DaNia Brooks led the Bulls (40-15, 21-6 American) with two RBIs and started the game-ending double play against the Mean Green (27-27, 14-13 American). USF completed the series sweep with a 5-3 victory on Saturday.
The Bulls have reached 40 wins in a season for the 19th time under
Ken Eriksen. The senior class won its 150th game. South Florida holds the tiebreaker over Wichita State and will be the No. 1 seed. USF will play in the conference tournament semifinals on Friday, May 8.
Brooks produced a game-high two RBIs, and both runs she drove in tied the game.
Alex Wilkes recorded a hit and scored a run, extending her hitting streak to seven games.
Karhys Pierce has reached base safely in nine straight games with a walk.
Toryn Fulton recorded a base hit and has reached base safely in seven straight games.
Anne Long tossed her 11th complete game of the season. She picked up the win, moving to 19-5 overall and 14-1 in conference games. She struck out five batters. She allowed three runs, only two were earned, and scattered four hits.
How It Happened
North Texas got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third with two runs on one hit, aided by a South Florida error.
Elliott led off the bottom of the third with a single up the middle. Garcia-Soto moved Elliott to second with a sacrifice bunt. Galligani reached on an error by the second baseman, allowing Elliott to score from second.
Alex Wilkes singled up the middle to keep the rally going for USF.
Grace Rawn entered to run for Pierce. With two outs, Brooks recorded an RBI single down the right-field line. The Bulls tied the game at 2-2 after three innings.
The Mean Green regained the lead in the top of the fourth with a run on one hit.
Galligani doubled to lead off the bottom of the fifth.
Alex Wilkes drew a four-pitch walk. Pierce reached safely on a fielder's choice after a sacrifice bunt attempt. Brooks tied the game for the second time with a sac fly to left.
Jamia Nelson drew a six-pitch walk, loading the bases for the Bulls.
Jocelyn Wilkes delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI single up the middle. Fulton extended USF's lead with a single through the left side. USF went on to win 5-3.
Note-a-Bulls
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Karhys Pierce has reached base safely in nine straight games via a walk.
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Alex Wilkes recorded a hit and scored a run. She extended her hitting streak to seven games.
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Toryn Fulton picked up a base hit and has reached base safely in seven straight games.
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Anne Long picked up her 19th win of the season and her 14th in conference play.
• South Florida has won a share of the regular-season championship. It is the first time since 2019.
• The Bulls have reached 40 wins in a season 19 times under
Ken Eriksen.
• The senior class has won 150 games over its four years at USF.
• USF improved to 27-6 in home games.
• The Bulls are 31-0 when they lead after five innings.
• The Bulls moved to 37-2 when they scored more than three runs.
• USF improved to 32-4 when they out-hit their opponents.
Up Next
South Florida earned the No. 1 seed in the American Conference Tournament. The Bulls will play at 1 p.m. on ESPN+ on Friday, May 8. The South Florida opponent will be announced at a later date.
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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