TAMPA, March 9, 2024 – The University of South Florida softball team (18-8, 1-2 AAC) dropped two games to the Charlotte 49ers (12-9, 2-1 AAC) on Saturday. The Bulls lost with scores of 5-1 and 12-1, respectively.
Game 1 | Charlotte 5, South Florida 1
Jordyn Kadlub led the third inning with her first triple of the season. Rian Eigenmann (Millville, N.J.) hit a foul ball to the third baseman and an obstruction call got Eigenmann out at the plate. The Bulls loaded the bases with back-to-back walks but left them stranded.
Charlotte took the 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth behind an RBI double and a two-RBI single.
South Florida got on the board in the sixth inning with a solo home run, the first of her career. Three straight singles loaded the bases for the Bulls, but the bases were kept loaded.
Charlotte added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI groundout and a solo home run.
Julia Apostolakos (Beachwood, N.J.) earned her fifth start of the season. She pitched 4.2 innings and played first base for 2.1 innings. Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.) pitched 2.1 innings and struck out two.
Game 2 | Charlotte 12, South Florida 1
Charlotte jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, scoring two in the opening frame and three in the second.
Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) brought a spark into the Bulls’ offense in the second inning with a double to left-center field that was reviewed by the 49ners. The call stood, but two groundouts ended the inning for South Florida.
The 49ers continued to score in the top of the third, bringing four across the plate. The Bulls got on the board in the third inning with an RBI double from Bailey Drapola (Brookfield, Ohio).
Charlotte added three runs in the top of the fourth.
Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) earned her 11th start of the season. She pitched 1.2 innings. Kopko pitched 3.1 innings. Apostolakos pitched in the fourth inning.
Notables
- Drapola now has six doubles this season. She leads the team.
- Marissa Trivelpiece (Sugarloaf, Pa.) had her third multi-hit performance in the first game.
- Kopko led the Bulls with four strikeouts.
- Kadlub hit her first triple of the season.
- Rivera hit her second double of the season.
Up Next
South Florida will head south to Florida Gulf Coast for a doubleheader on Monday. The first game is scheduled for 4 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 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
