South Florida Softball Adds Olivia Thornton to 2026 Class
July 02, 2026 | Softball
TAMPA, Fla. (July 2, 2026) – Head Coach Ken Eriksen and the University of South Florida softball team announced the addition of Olivia Thornton to the 2026 recruiting class.
Thornton joins the Bulls after two standout seasons at Queens University of Charlotte, where she established herself as one of the conference's top offensive outfielders while also delivering exceptional defense.
"The addition of an athlete like Olivia Thornton to our team will help us continue to replace some of the athletes we lost to graduation," said Coach Eriksen. "Her ability to go get the ball in the outfield and her range, should we need her in the infield, are impressive. I love her enthusiasm for the game and for life. Look for power and speed to increase in our lineup in 2027."
Over her two-year collegiate career, Thornton started in all 100 games she appeared in and compiled a .327 batting average with 97 hits, 68 runs scored, 18 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, and 63 RBIs. She also posted a .418 on-base percentage and a .529 slugging percentage while striking out just 39 times in 297 at-bats.
Thornton's production increased significantly during her sophomore campaign in 2026, as she batted .359 with 51 hits, 10 home runs, and 36 RBIs, while posting a .455 on-base percentage and a .662 slugging percentage. Defensively, she recorded a .991 fielding percentage and continued to provide stability in the outfield.
As a freshman in 2025, Thornton immediately made an impact, starting all 52 games for the Royals. She hit .297 with 46 hits, eight home runs and 27 RBIs, helping establish herself as one of the program's emerging offensive threats.
Thornton arrives in Tampa with a reputation for consistency on both sides of the ball. Across her collegiate career, she recorded 161 putouts and seven assists, committing just one error in 169 defensive chances, for an impressive .994 fielding percentage.
Prior to her collegiate career, Thornton was a standout prep player who consistently improved throughout her four years of high school competition. During her senior season, she batted .394 with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs and eight doubles, after batting .379 as a junior with 29 RBIs, seven doubles and four home runs.
As a sophomore, Thornton batted .359 with 16 RBIs, four doubles and two home runs. She finished her freshman campaign with a .259 batting average, three RBIs, two doubles and one home run.
Thornton's combination of power, consistency and defensive versatility gives the Bulls another experienced bat in the lineup and adds valuable depth to the South Florida roster.
Having already demonstrated success at the Division I level, Thornton brings an established offensive presence, defensive flexibility and veteran experience to the Bulls as the program prepares for the upcoming season.
Tickets:
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 19 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 30th season in 2026 and has accumulated 1,214 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, one NFCA Pitcher of the Year, and one NFCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winner. 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 –
Thornton joins the Bulls after two standout seasons at Queens University of Charlotte, where she established herself as one of the conference's top offensive outfielders while also delivering exceptional defense.
"The addition of an athlete like Olivia Thornton to our team will help us continue to replace some of the athletes we lost to graduation," said Coach Eriksen. "Her ability to go get the ball in the outfield and her range, should we need her in the infield, are impressive. I love her enthusiasm for the game and for life. Look for power and speed to increase in our lineup in 2027."
Over her two-year collegiate career, Thornton started in all 100 games she appeared in and compiled a .327 batting average with 97 hits, 68 runs scored, 18 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, and 63 RBIs. She also posted a .418 on-base percentage and a .529 slugging percentage while striking out just 39 times in 297 at-bats.
Thornton's production increased significantly during her sophomore campaign in 2026, as she batted .359 with 51 hits, 10 home runs, and 36 RBIs, while posting a .455 on-base percentage and a .662 slugging percentage. Defensively, she recorded a .991 fielding percentage and continued to provide stability in the outfield.
As a freshman in 2025, Thornton immediately made an impact, starting all 52 games for the Royals. She hit .297 with 46 hits, eight home runs and 27 RBIs, helping establish herself as one of the program's emerging offensive threats.
Thornton arrives in Tampa with a reputation for consistency on both sides of the ball. Across her collegiate career, she recorded 161 putouts and seven assists, committing just one error in 169 defensive chances, for an impressive .994 fielding percentage.
Prior to her collegiate career, Thornton was a standout prep player who consistently improved throughout her four years of high school competition. During her senior season, she batted .394 with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs and eight doubles, after batting .379 as a junior with 29 RBIs, seven doubles and four home runs.
As a sophomore, Thornton batted .359 with 16 RBIs, four doubles and two home runs. She finished her freshman campaign with a .259 batting average, three RBIs, two doubles and one home run.
Thornton's combination of power, consistency and defensive versatility gives the Bulls another experienced bat in the lineup and adds valuable depth to the South Florida roster.
Having already demonstrated success at the Division I level, Thornton brings an established offensive presence, defensive flexibility and veteran experience to the Bulls as the program prepares for the upcoming season.
Tickets:
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 19 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 30th season in 2026 and has accumulated 1,214 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, one NFCA Pitcher of the Year, and one NFCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winner. 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 –
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