South Florida fell to No. 4 Washington and No. 7 Oklahoma State
TAMPA, Feb. 22, 2024 – The University of South Florida softball team (7-4) fell to No. 4 Washington and No. 7 Oklahoma State to open the South Florida Showdown on Thursday night.
Camille Ortiz-Martinez (Salinas, Puerto Rico) showed her defensive skills against the Huskies, throwing three runners out. In the Bulls’ second game, it was left-handed pitcher Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.) who held the Cowgirls hitless through 3.1 innings.
Game 1 | No. 4 Washington 2, South Florida 1
The No. 4 Huskies struck first in the top half of the third inning with a solo home run to left field. They added another in the same fashion in the top of the fifth.
The Bulls loaded the bases in the sixth inning with three straight singles from Alexa Galligani (White Plains, N.Y.), Kathy Garcia-Soto (Tampa), and Marissa Trivelpiece (Sugarloaf, Pa.). Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) reached on a fielder’s choice and brought Galligani home to cut Washington’s lead to one.
Ortiz-Martinez showed her defensive skills throughout the game, catching two runners stealing and picking off one at first base.
Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) pitched her second complete game as a Bull. She allowed six hits and struck out three batters.
Game 2 | No. 7 Oklahoma State 6, South Florida 1
Oklahoma State took the quick 5-0 lead through the first three innings with three doubles in the second inning and two home runs in the third.
In the first frame, Garcia-Soto laid down a perfect bunt to earn the Bulls’ first hit of the game. Olivia Elliott (Tampa) got South Florida’s second hit in the sixth inning with a single through the left side. DaNia Brooks (Tampa) got the Bulls’ third hit in the seventh inning with a single to the Cowgirls’ second baseman.
South Florida scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a fielding error from Oklahoma State’s second basemen.
Julia Apostolakos (Beachwood, N.J.) earned her third start of her career. She pitched 3.1 innings and struck out one. Kopko made her third appearance, pitching the final 3.2 innings. She only allowed one hit.
Notables
- Galligani led with two hits.
- Kopko pitched 3.1 hitless innings against the Cowgirls.
- Ortiz-Martinez threw three runners out.
- The Bulls’ pitching staff struck out seven batters. Sardja and Kopko led with three each.
Up Next
The Bulls will continue the South Florida Showdown with a 7 p.m. game against the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers.
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 –
