USF travels back to the tourney for the first time since 2020
TAMPA, Feb. 17, 2022 – After a pause in the tournament for the 2021 season, the University of South Florida Softball team is back in competition at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational this weekend looking to repeat its success at the 2020 tournament.
The team plays four quality opponents this weekend, with games against Notre Dame (RV), No. 7/7 Oklahoma State, No. 25/RV Auburn and Wisconsin over three days.
The Bulls are coming off a 3-1 opening weekend at the USF-Rawlings Invitational, including a ranked win against No. 13/16 Michigan. Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) broke the American Athletic Conference career strikeouts record during the invitational and also went 2-0 in three appearances with 22 strikeouts and no earned runs.
Josie Foreman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) leads the team through four game with five RBIs and two extra base hits, including a home run. Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hill, Md.) paces the team with a .444 batting average and four walks so far this season.
Scouting the Opponents
Notre Dame (RV) (5-0)
Date: Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.
Watch: ACC Network
Series vs. ND: ND leads, 12-11
Players to Watch:
- Abby Sweet leads Notre Dame hitters with a .688 average entering the weekend. The outfielder has five extra base hits, including two home runs, and seven RBIs.
- Alexis Holloway has thrown the most innings for the Fighting Irish at 10 IP and has a 0.70 ERA, allowing only one earned run so far. She’s also struck out 11 and limited opposing hitters to a .146 batting average.
Notes: Notre Dame is coming off a 2021 appearance in the NCAA tournament, being eliminated in the Lexington Regional against Kentucky.
No. 7/7 Oklahoma State (4-1)
Date: Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. OSU: OSU leads, 16-2
Players to Watch:
- Avery Hobson paces Cowgirl hitters with a .500 average through five games.
- Kelly Maxwell has pitched the most for OSU this season, tossing 11 innings with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.45 WHIP.
Notes: The Cowgirls are coming off a 2021 Women’s College World Series appearance and are currently ranked at No. 7 in the country in both the NFCA and USA Softball polls.
No. 25/RV Auburn (5-0)
Date: Feb. 20 at 12 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. AU: Auburn, 7-3
Players to Watch:
- Carlee McCondichie leads Tiger hitters with a .667 average. She’s tallied six hits with five runs, five RBIs and a triple this season.
- Maddie Penta has tossed the most innings for far this season for Auburn with 14.0. She has a 1.00 ERA and has thrown two complete games.
Notes: Auburn is currently ranked No. 25 in the USA Softball poll. The team made the 2021 NCAA tournament but lost back-to-back games to start and were eliminated in the regional stage.
Wisconsin (3-3)
Date: Feb. 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. UW: USF leads, 7-3
Players to Watch:
- Jolie Fish has paced Badger hitters with a .333 average this season also adding three runs and eight RBI to her totals.
- Maddie Schwartz has thrown 14.2 innings for Wisconsin this season with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.
Notes: Wisconsin has posted a 3-3 record so far this year with three ranked losses against No. 19 Kentucky, No. 13 Virginia Tech and No. 11 Missouri.
About USF Softball
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 16 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
