TAMPA, March 8, 2023 – The University of South Florida softball team fell to the Penn State Nittany Lions, 3-2, on Thursday night in the opener of the USF Tournament.
The Bulls opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning. Tieley Vaughn (Wesley Chapel) singled down the left field line. She was brought home on a single from Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk, N.Y.). South Florida’s next run came in the following inning.
Camille Ortiz-Martinez (Ponce, Puerto Rico) singled through the middle and had Lauren Bevis St. Johns) pinch ran for her. Bevis advanced on a sacrifice bunt and then score on an RBI single from Rian Eigenmann (Millville, N.J.).
Penn State was held scoreless through 5.2 innings. Two errors by USF and a single allowed the Nittany Lions to score three unearned runs and take the lead.
Payton Dixon (Smyrna Del.) earned her 10th start of the season. The redshirt-freshman pitched her fourth complete game and retired five batters.
NOTABLES
- Jocelyn Wilkes (Tampa) earned a chance at the plate and was hit for the second time this season.
- She’s tied for second on the team in hit by pitch.
- Dixon now has 57 strikeouts this season.
Up Next
The Bulls will go head-to-head with the Illinois Fightnin’ Illini tomorrow 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 16 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
