Toryn Fulton hit her seventh home run and drove in all five runs in game two
SAN ANTONIO (April 3, 2026) – The University of South Florida softball team finished the three-game series with UTSA on Friday. Toryn Fulton ended the day with three hits as the Bulls (29-12, 11-4 American) and the Roadrunners (20-21, 8-7 American) split two games on Friday. Head Coach Ken Eriksen earned his 1,200th career win.
South Florida remains tied for first place in the American Conference standings with North Texas. Anne Long threw her second complete game of the weekend in game two. She struck out three batters and improved to 11-3 on the season. She allowed one run.
Fulton was .500 at the plate over the two games. She recorded a career-high five RBIs in game two, including a home run. Fulton extended her hitting streak to seven games. DaNia Brooks finished with three RBIs and scored a run. Olivia Elliott led the team with three runs scored for the day. Brooks and Jamia Nelson each hit a home run in game one.
Game One: UTSA 9, USF 6
Garcia-Soto reached safely due to a throwing error by the shortstop to start the game. Alexa Galligani moved Garcia-Soto to second with a sacrifice bunt to third base. Elliott drew a six-pitch walk, and Garcia-Soto scored on a wild pitch to give USF an early lead. Pierce drew a four-pitch walk with two outs. Brooks put the Bulls ahead 4-0 with a three-run home run to deep center.
The Roadrunners cut the Bulls’ lead to 4-3 in the home half of the first inning. UTSA scored its runs on two errors. USF took a 4-3 lead into the second. The Roadrunners tied it in the bottom of the fifth inning on a solo home run by Skylar Rucker. UTSA added five more runs in the bottom of the fifth and took a 9-4 lead into the sixth inning.
The Bulls did not go down without a fight. Garcia-Soto led off the top of the sixth inning with a seven-pitch walk. Elliott drew a walk to put USF runners on first and second with one out. Alex Wilkes drove in a run with a double to right center. South Florida cut the lead to 9-5 as the game moved to the bottom half of the sixth.
Nelson led off the top of the seventh inning with a solo home run to deep left field. The Bulls were unable to tie the game and fell 9-6.
Carley Ernst started the game in the circle for USF. She pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing three runs, all of which were unearned. Belle Sardja relieved her and pitched four innings, striking out two batters and allowing three earned runs. Hannah Marien faced four batters in the fifth inning, striking out one. She allowed three runs, with only one earned. McKenna Schroding closed out the game with 1 and 1/3 innings. She allowed just one hit.
Game Two: USF 5, UTSA 1
Elliott started game two with a single up the middle. Galligani advanced her to second with a groundout to first. Fulton gave the Bulls the lead with a two-run home run to deep left field. South Florida held a 2-0 lead as the game headed to the second inning.
Kiley Strott produced a one-out double to start the second inning. Garcia-Soto grounded out to shortstop, moving Strott to third. Elliott was hit by a pitch. Galligani drew a walk, loading the bases. Fulton then singled to right field and cleared the bases. USF led 5-0 after two innings.
The Roadrunners scored a run on two hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. UTSA cut the USF lead to 5-1 after six innings. Garcia-Soto made an incredible diving catch to end the sixth inning. UTSA threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but Long escaped the inning unscathed.
Notables
• Toryn Fulton recorded a career-high five RBIs in game two, including her sixth home run of the season. Fulton extended her hitting streak to seven games.
• DaNia Brooks hit her first home run of the season.
• Jamia Nelson hit her second home run of the season.
• Olivia Elliott extended her streak of reaching base safely to seven games.
• Anne Long pitched her fifth complete game of the season and improved to an 11-3 record.
• Karhys Pierce extended her streak of reaching base safely to seven games.
• South Florida now has a 25-0 record when leading after five innings.
• The Bulls’ record improves to 28-2 whenever they score three or more runs.
• USF improves to 20-1 when they hold its opponents to two or fewer runs.
Up Next
The Bulls return to the diamond on Wednesday, April 8. South Florida clashes with No. 7 Florida at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Tickets:
Season tickets for the upcoming softball season are now available, starting at $65. Fans may also add a general admission baseball season ticket for an additional $25, providing access to all home baseball games. For more information or to purchase season tickets, visit the official website at gousfbulls.com or contact the ticket office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or click HERE.
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About USF Softball
The South Florida softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 18 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 29th season in 2026 and has accumulated 1,171 wins, ranking seventh among active DI head softball coaches, USF has produced 10 NFCA All-Americans, two USA Softball Top 10 Players of the Year, and one NFCA Pitcher of the Year. In 2022, Georgina Corrick became the first player in softball history to earn the NCAA Pitching Triple Crown. She led the nation in ERA (0.51), Victories (37), and total strikeouts (418).
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