HOUSTON, Texas, May 5, 2023 – The University of South Florida softball team (30-23, 9-7 AAC) fell to the Houston Cougars (20-28, 7-9 AAC) in nine innings, 5-4, on Friday night.
In the first nine pitches, the Bulls had two runners on. Jordyn Kadlub (Wesley Chapel) and Kathy Garcia-Soto (Tampa) walked, Kadlub’s was a four-pitch walk. A single from Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers) drove Kadlub home.
Tieley Vaughn (Wesley Chapel) led the second inning off, reaching second on a fielding error by the Cougar center fielder. She scored the second run on a single from Megan Pierro.
Houston tied the game at two off a two-run home run.
South Florida regained the lead in the following inning on a sacrifice fly from Kadlub that drove Vaughn home. The Cougars tied the game again in the bottom of the sixth.
The Bulls and Cougars went to extra innings after a scoreless seventh.
In the top of the ninth, Megan Pierro led off with a five-pitch walk. She advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and a single. Meghan Sheehan (Forrest Hills, Md.) hit a sacrifice fly to bring Pierro home for the 4-3 lead.
Gabriella Nori (Weston), Ponn, and Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) each made a trip to the circle with Nori earning the start. Nori pitched six innings and struck out four batters. Ponn followed with two strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Bulls and Cougars will continue the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. (C.T.).
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 –
