The offense could not be stopped as the pitching corps held Niagara to one run
TAMPA, Fla., March 16, 2022 – The University of South Florida softball team stampeded past the Niagara Purple Eagles on Wednesday night. The Bulls offense was firing on all cylinders while the defense held strong in the 7-1 victory.
Erin Poepping (Lino Lakes, Minn.) earned the win in the circle for the Bulls (23-4), moving to 5-3 on the year with her ERA dropping to 2.60. Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers, Fla.) led the USF offense finishing two-for-three with four RBIs and a run.
South Florida opened the scoring in the third. Hallie Bryant (Trenton, Fla.) and Alexis Johns (Sarasota) started the inning with back-to-back singles to put two runners on. Two batters later, Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) doubled to right to drive home both Bryant and Johns. Immediately following, Ponn sent the first pitch she saw into the outfield for a double, scoring Rivera. Ponn scored two batters later as Pierro doubled to right center to give USF a 4-0 lead after three.
The Bulls added three more in the fourth. With the bases loaded, Ponn singled to right, allowing a pair to score, then intentionally got caught in a rundown to allow the third runner to cross with the bases-clearing hit.
Niagara got a run back in the fifth. A hard line drive deflected off a Bulls defender, which allowed a runner to cross.
The Bulls pitching staff shut down the Purple Eagles offense for the rest of the game, earning the 7-1 win.
Notables
- Ponn’s four RBIs were the second time a Bulls hitter tallied four in a single game this season, joining Pierro who had four against Kansas City on Feb. 11.
- The Bulls have held opponents to one run or less in 20 games so far this season, winning them all.
Up Next
USF plays a doubleheader tomorrow against Ohio State (4 p.m.) and Purdue (6:30 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 –
