CLEARWATER, Feb. 18, 2023 – The University of South Florida softball team lost to the Texas A&M Aggies, 5-1, in the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational on Saturday morning.
South Florida’s only run of the game came in the fourth inning. Senior Bailee Leistl (Valrico)s singled up the middle and then stole second. Leistl advanced to third on a fielder’s choice by Megan Pierro (Lutz) and then scored on a wild pitch.
The Bulls started the game strong quickly loading the bases with the first three batters. Megan Pierro (Lutz) got on with a four-pitch walk, Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk, N.Y.) singled to left field, and Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hill, Md.) singled to the first basemen. South Florida left the bases loaded.
Texas A&M also left the bases loaded in the first inning. The Aggies leadoff batter also took a four-pitch walk. Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) got out of the inning with the Aggie batter looking.
Dixon earned her third start of the season. She pitched two innings, allowed three runs and struck out three. Antoinette Hill (Braidwood, Ill.) also pitched two innings, while Morgan Grubb (Bartow) and Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.) pitched one.
Notables
- Kathy Garcia-Soto (Tampa) and Leistl finished with a stolen base.
- Hanlon led the Bulls with two hits.
- Rian Eigenmann (Millville, N.J.) was the only player to be hit by a pitch. She is now tied with Garcia-Soto with two this season.
Up Next
The Bulls will close out the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational tomorrow with a double header as they take on #8/9 Virginia Tech at 12p.m. and Mississippi State at 3:30 p.m. on field nine.
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 –
