TAMPA, Feb. 16, 2024 – The University of South Florida softball team (7-3) split the second day of the first annual Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF on Friday.
The Bulls defeated the Boston College Eagles, 9-2, before falling to the Purdue Boilermakers, 4-3.
With the win, South Florida is now 9 wins away from reaching 1,500 in program history, while head coach, Ken Eriksen, is 10 wins away from hitting 1,100 in his career.
The Bulls celebrated the life of former teammate, Alexis Buchman during the first game of their doubleheader. The team wore gray warm-up tops and gray ribbons to show support.
Game 1 | Boston College 2, South Florida 9
After Boston College hit a solo home run in the opening frame, South Florida answered with two runs in the bottom of the first.
A single and an Eagles error allowed Alexa Galligani and Kathy Garcia-Soto on base. Marissa Trivelpiece hit an RBI single to tie the game. Alanah Rivera hit a sacrifice bunt to give South Florida the 2-1 lead.
The Bulls added two more in the third inning on an RBI single from Josie Foreman and a groundout from DaNia Brooks.
Four more South Florida runs in the fourth and one in the fifth gave the Bulls a comfortable lead over Boston College.
Belle Sardja pitched 6.2 innings and allowed two runs. She earned her third win of the season. Julia Apostolakos pitched the final 0.1 inning for her fourth appearance.
Game 2 | Boston College 4, South Florida 3
After a walk from Trivelpiece, the Bulls quickly jumped out in front in the bottom of the first on an RBI double from Bailey Drapola.
The Boilermakers took the lead in the third inning on a two-RBI single.
South Florida hit back-to-back doubles to start the fourth inning to tie the game at two. Rian Eigenmann hit a sacrifice fly to give the Bulls the 3-2 lead.
Purdue took the lead in the top of the seventh and held it until the end. South Florida had a chance with the tying run on base but were left stranded.
Notables
- South Florida needs 9 wins to reach 1,500 in program history.
- Ken Eriksen needs 10 wins to reach 1,100 in his career.
- The Bulls hit five doubles today, four coming against Purdue.
- Jamia Nelson earned her first collegiate hit against the Eagles as a pinch hitter.
- Galligani and Drapola led with three hits each.
Up Next
The Bulls will continue the Fonseca Memorial Tournament on Sunday with a doubleheader against Hofstra and Purdue. South Florida will play Hofstra at 11:30 a.m. and Purdue at 2 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 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
