USF capitalizes on Memphis’ defensive mistakes to take both games of the doubleheader and earn the series win over the Tigers
TAMPA, FLA. Mar. 27, 2021 – The University of South Florida softball team scored 14 runs between the two games of today’s doubleheader to sweep the day. The Bulls took game one, 6-3, and continued its success on offense in game two, winning it 8-0 in six innings.
Camryn Dolby (Round Hill, Va.) earned the win in both games of the doubleheader, while Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers, Fla.) made the start in the circle for both games. Alexis Johns (Sarasota, Fla.) scored three runs between the two games, while AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Pa.) walked four times.
Game One: USF 6, Memphis 3
The Bulls started game one quickly, with Johns scoring on a wild pitch to give USF a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Two innings later, Bruni stole second and then, a few pitches later, stole third and scored on an error to push USF’s lead to two.
Memphis cut into the Bulls’ lead in the fourth, scoring one on an RBI ground-out from Alyssa Dean. USF struck back in its half of the inning. Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.) singled home Natalie Zweig (Tampa, Fla.) and defensive errors allowed Pierro and Kelsey Lay (West Palm Beach, Fla.) to score. Johns also crossed home in the inning on a sac-fly from Bruni.
Memphis attempted a comeback in the seventh, scoring on back-to-back singles, but Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) came in and earned the save by closing the door, giving USF a 6-3 win.
Game Two: USF 8, Memphis 0 (6 inn.)
USF continued its run-scoring success early in game two. Bruni and Johns scored on an error in the first inning, giving USF a quick 2-0 lead. Bethaney Keen (Bradenton, Fla.) singled home Brooke Hartman (Port Orange, Fla.) later in the inning to push the Bulls’ lead to 3-0.
The Bulls added to their lead in the third. Bruni scored on another Memphis error, as did Megan Pierro later in the inning to give South Florida a 5-0 advantage. USF walked off with the win in the sixth inning. Two hit-by-pitches and a walk loaded the bases, and Zweig scored on a wild pitch. After Dezarae Maldonado (Winter Haven, Fla.) walked to reload the bases, back-to-back walks to Johns and Bruni gave USF the 8-0 run-rule victory in the sixth innings.
Notables
- Bruni now sits at 78 stolen bases in her career, placing her at No. 3 on USF’s all-time stolen bases list. She passed Renee Oursler (2000-03) who had 77. She’s also tied for second on the conference’s all-time list.
- USF’s 10 game win streak is the longest since the program won 15 straight from March 2 to March 18, 2018.
Quotable
Head coach Ken Eriksen on today’s wins…
“Our bullpen was incredible. When I talk about bullpen, I’m not just talking about the people who came in for relief. I’m talking about Vivian Ponn starting both games and giving us great opportunities to score first and win the game early, then having Camryn Dolby, Brittany Hook and Lexie Kopko come in. It was nice to get a team-effort from the bullpen today. Our lineup right now is just blue-collaring the game. They’re working really hard, putting it together and putting runs across the plate. Maybe sometimes they’re doing it without base hits, but they’re pushing runners. Let’s hope it keeps going tomorrow morning.”
Up Next
The Bulls close out the weekend series against Memphis tomorrow at 10 a.m. at USF Softball Stadium. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+. Due to virus mitigation measures and the size of the venue, USF will have limited fan attendance via team pass list only at USF Softball Stadium.
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 –
