TAMPA, March 11, 2023 – The University of South Florida softball team defeated the Illinois Fightin’ Illini, 2-1, and the Marist Red Foxes, 2-0, in the USF Tournament on Saturday evening.
GAME 1 | ILL 1, USF 2
The Bulls and Fightnin’ Illini settled in for a pitcher’s duel between Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) and Sydney Sickles. Illinois got their first hit in the second inning while the Sickles was perfect until the fourth inning. Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hills, Md.) singled in the fourth but was left stranded.
Sheehan’s single put a spark in the Bulls offense. Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers) started the fifth inning with her second career triple. Hallie Bryant (Trenton) hit an RBI single to tie the game at one.
Megan Pierro (Lutz) hit her third triple of the season to bring Bryant across the plate and give USF the one-run lead.
Dixon pitched her fifth complete game of her career. She retired four batters, catching the final batter looking, earning her the eighth win of her career.
GAME 2 | Marist 0, USF 2
It was another pitcher’s duel for the Bulls in game two of the Saturday double-header, this time against the Marist Red Foxes with freshman Jaden Martinez (Tallahassee) in the circle.
Martinez earned her seventh start of her career. She pitched five innings, only allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out five batters.
South Florida opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jordyn Kadlub (Wesley Chapel) doubled and then advanced to third on a groundout. A sacrifice fly from Pierro brought Kadlub across the plate.
Marissa Trivelpiece (Sugarloaf, Pa.) started the sixth inning with a double to center field. Lauren Bevis (St. Johns) came in and pinch ran and advanced to third on a single from Sheehan.
Another sacrifice fly, this one from Rian Eigenmann (Millville, N.J.), brought Bevis across the plate and gave USF the 2-0 lead heading into the seventh inning.
Dixon entered the circle in the sixth inning and retired one batter. She held the Red Foxes hitless for the last two innings.
NOTABLES
- Dixon allowed zero walks against Illinois and Marist.
- Pierro leads the team with three triples this season.
- Ponn hit her first triple of the year and the second of her career.
- Pierro led with two RBI, while Eigenmann and Bryant had one.
- Dixon now has 62 strikeouts this season.
- Trivelpiece hit her fourth double of the season.
Up Next
The Bulls will close out the USF Tournament with a Sunday game against Saint Francis. First pitch is set for 3:30 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 –
