The Bulls offense powered the game one win, while pitching shined in game two
TAMPA, Fla., March 9, 2022 – The University of South Florida softball team earned its 10th and 11th consecutive wins with a pair of shutouts against in-state foe Stetson on Wednesday evening. After an 8-0 six-inning, run-rule victory in game one, the Bulls outlasted the Hatters in game two, 1-0.
Erin Poepping (Lino Lakes, Minn.) and Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) earned the wins in the circle in games one and two, respectively. Madison Epperson (Tampa) finished the day going five-for-seven at the plate with two doubles and two RBI. Alexis Johns (Sarasota) ended two-for-five with two runs, two walks and four stolen bases.
Game 1 – USF 8, Stetson 0 (6)
With Poepping dealing in the circle, striking out four of the first six batters, the Bulls quickly found success on offense. With Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) on first, Epperson doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Dezarae Maldonado (Winter Haven, Fla.) drove home Rivera with her second sacrifice fly of the year to take a 1-0 lead. The Bulls added another in the third, with Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers, Fla.) singling home Johns to push the lead to two.
The Bulls broke the game open in the fifth. Megan Pierro (Lutz) started the rally, singling home Johns. Pierro later scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded to leave two in scoring position with just one out, also extending USF’s lead to 3-0. Rivera capped the inning by singling up the middle in the next at-bat to drive home Josie Foreman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Ponn.
South Florida walked it off in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Epperson singled up the middle, driving home Foreman and Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hill, Md.) to earn the 8-0 run-rule victory in six innings.
Game 2 – USF 1, Stetson 0
A pitcher’s duel brewed in game two. USF used a trio of pitchers, starting with Ponn, followed by Antoinette Hill (Braidwood, Ill.), who entered in the third, and Corrick, who entered in the fourth.
USF broke the stalemate in the fourth. Rivera singled to start and reached second when Alexis Swearingen (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) drew a walk. With two outs, Allana Consolazio (Fort Myers, Fla.) pinch-ran for Rivera and scored when Emma Humplik (Orange, Texas) singled up the middle to put USF on top, 1-0.
Corrick continued to deal out of the bullpen, striking out her first seven batters and nine overall to earn the victory.
Notables
- Johns has reached base in 16 straight games, while Epperson has reached in 11 straight. Epperson also has a six-game hitting streak.
- USF is 17-0 this season when scoring first.
- The Bulls have not allowed a run in 19 innings, dating back to the fifth inning against Army on March 5.
- Over the 11 game win streak, the Bulls have outscored opponents 56-7 and have posted eight shutouts.
Up Next
The Bulls continue their 23 game homestand with four home games this weekend, starting with Army on Friday at 4:30 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 –
