The Bulls snap a five-game losing streak
TAMPA, Feb. 22, 2023 – The University of South Florida softball team snapped a five-game losing streak by sweeping the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, 3-0 and 3-1, during their midweek double header on Wednesday night.
GAME 1 -FGCU 0, USF 3
Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk, N.Y) started the game with a leadoff double to left field. A sacrifice fly from Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hills, Md) gave the Bulls the early lead.
South Florida wouldn’t take long to add to their lead. Emma Humplik (Orange, Texas) walked in the bottom of the second and scored on Megan Pierro’s (Lutz) second triple of the season. A single from Natalie Zweig (Tampa) brought Pierro home for the Green and Gold’s third and last run of the game.
Left-hander Gabriella Nori pitched her 30th complete game of her career and her first as a Bull. She held the Eagles to two hits and struck out 10. Her success earned her the transfer’s first win of the season.
GAME 2- FGCU 1, USF 3
USF tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning after loading the bases. Hanlon showed her intelligence at the plate and earned a walk to bring the typing run in. The Bulls capitalized on the momentum, adding two more runs on a sacrifice fly from Hallie Bryant (Trenton) and a single from Alexa Galligani (White Plains, N.Y.).
FGCU scored their first and only run of the day in the top of the third inning on a fielder’s choice.
South Florida was held hitless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Allana Consolazio (Fort Myers) broke it up with a single to the pitcher. Bryant reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second for the second time in the game. She advanced to third on a single from Galligani.
Freshman Jaden Martinez (Tallahassee) started in the circle in the second game of the double header. She pitched 2.1 innings, allowed two hits, and one run. Antoinette Hill (Braidwood, Ill.) relieved the freshman and pitched 4.2 innings. She retired seven batters and earned her second win this season.
NOTABLES
- Nori pitched her 30th career complete game and her first as a Bull.
- She struck out 10 batters and didn’t walk one.
- With two stolen bases tonight, Bryant is now 4-for-4 on the season.
- The Bulls have shutout two opponents this season.
- Galligani, Hanlon, and Pierro led with two hits.
Up Next
The Bulls will host the USF Invitational and welcome #5/5 Clemson, #9/12 Tennessee, Michigan State, and Illinois-Chicago. They open the tournament tomorrow night against Clemson at 6 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 –
