A strong pitching performance from Camryn Dolby and a three-run homerun from Brooke Hartman gives the Bulls the win
CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 15, 2020 – The University of South Florida softball team upset No. 17/19 Texas Tech to get its first win of the season Saturday night. The Bulls used a three-run home run from Brooke Hartman and a dominant performance on the mound from Camryn Dolby to get the 3-0 win.
Pitchers prevailed for much of the early innings. The Bulls challenged the Red Raiders early, putting runners on first and second in the opening frame but weren’t able to push any runs across the plate. Texas Tech responded with its own challenge in the top of the second, but a pop out to centerfielder AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Pa.) ended the threat.
Hartman (Port Orange, Fla.) put the Bulls on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back singles from Madison Epperson (Tampa, Fla.) and Bethaney Keen (Bradenton, Fla.) put two on with only one out for the Bulls. Texas Tech forced a strikeout to bring up Hartman, who gave USF its first lead of the season with a three-run home run to left field.
Pitchers took over again after the home run. Texas Tech put runners on the corners, but Dolby (Round Hill, Va.) got two quick outs to shut down the threat. The sophomore shut down the Red Raiders again in the sixth, allowing a runner but retiring the next three to keep TTU off the board.
Texas Tech had two runners reach to start the seventh inning. However, the Bulls forced a fly-out to get one out, then turned a double play to clinch its first victory of the season.
Dolby earned the win in the game, pitching her first complete-game shutout in green and gold. She allowed only three hits over seven strong innings and adding three strikeouts in the game.
Quotable
Coach Jessica Moore on the team’s effort in the win…
“I think they came out with a lot of energy and they kind of just went right at them. [Camryn Dolby] set the tone for us early, which was awesome to see. That’s the stuff that we know she can do, so I was really happy for her and proud of her for the outing she had today.”
Notables
- Hartman’s home run was her first since May 5, 2018 against Wichita State.
- USF topped a ranked team for the first time since the NCAA tournament last season. The Bulls’ last ranked win was against No. 21 South Carolina on May 17, 2019 in the NCAA tournament regionals.
Up Next
USF plays two games tomorrow in the last day of the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational. The Bulls open the day against No. 15/15 Georgia at 9 a.m., followed by a 3:30 p.m. matchup against reigning national champions No. 3/2 UCLA. Both games will be streamed on ESPN3.
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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
