CLEARWATER, Feb. 19, 2023 – The University of South Florida softball team fell to #8/9 Virginia Tech, 5-1, and Mississippi State, 8-0, on the final day of the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational.
GAME 1 -USF 1, Virginia Tech 4
Jordyn Kadlub (Wesley Chapel) started the fifth inning with an infield single and then quickly stole second base. With a runner in scoring position and the Bulls down by two, Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk, N.Y.) would get the RBI single to cut the Hokies lead in half.
Virginia Tech struck first in the third inning on back-to-back singles with runners in scoring positions. They extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth, adding two more runs.
Left-hander Gabriella Nori (Weston) earned the start in the circle. It was her fourth start of the season. She pitched 2 2/3 innings. Antoinette Hill (Braidwood, Ill.) made her sixth appearance and went 2.1 innings. Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.) and Morgan Grubb (Bartow) also made appearances in the circle.
GAME 2- Mississippi St 8 , USF 0
It was all freshmen pitchers for South Florida in final game of the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational. Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) earned her fifth start of the season. She pitched 3.0 innings and struck out two batters. Jaden Martinez (Tallahassee) and Morgan Grubb (Bartow) pitched 1.0 innings.
Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers) led the second inning off with a single to left field. Tieley Vaughn (Wesley Chapel) pinch ran for Ponn and got as far as second base.
Marissa Trivelpiece (Sugarloaf, Pa.) got on base in the fourth inning and advanced to second on a groundout by Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hills, Md.).
Up Next
The Bulls will come home and host Florida Gulf Coast for a doubleheader on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The first game is set for 5 p.m.
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 –
