The Bulls offense exploded for 13 runs in a five-inning run rule
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 6, 2022 – The University of South Florida softball team (40-13; 10-5 AAC) opened the weekend with a strong offensive showing in a 13-1, run-rule victory over Memphis (16-35; 2-14 AAC).
Madison Epperson (Tampa, Fla.) led the offense, going three-for-three with a double, a home run and four RBIs. Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.), Josie Foreman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Lydia Castro (Lithia, Fla.) all recorded multi-RBI games, with Castro hitting her first career home run in the game.
Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) struck out 15 batters in the game. All 15 defensive outs for the Bulls were recorded via the strikeout.
South Florida took the lead in the second. Vivian Ponn (Fort Myers, Fla.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then scored as Epperson hit her team-leading 13th double of the season.
Memphis loaded the bases in the second, but Corrick escaped the jam by striking out the side.
The Bulls broke the game open in the third. With two on, Meghan Sheehan (Forest Hill, Md.) dropped a sacrifice bunt that drew a wild throw to first and allowed both Dezarae Maldonado (Winter Haven, Fla.) and Alexis Johns (Sarasota, Fla.) to score to make the score 3-0. Foreman singled home a run two batters later, then Epperson blasted a three-run home run well over the left field wall, ending the inning with a 7-0 lead.
The rally continued into the fourth. With the bases loaded, Foreman singled to shortstop and a wild throw allowed a second runner to score. Pierro followed it up with a two-RBI single to right to push the lead to 11-0.
Memphis got one back in the fourth on a solo homer, but South Florida added two more in the fifth with a home run off the bat of Castro to end the scoring at 13-1.
Corrick would go on to complete the game in the circle to earn her 32nd victory of the season.
Notables
- Johns continues to be a menace on the basepaths, stealing her 51st base of the season.
- The 12-run win was USF’s biggest since April 1, 2021, when USF defeated Houston 14-1 with an eight run sixth inning.
- Epperson and Foreman both recorded multi-hit games, their eighth and seventh of the year, respectively.
- Corrick has as many wins this season as she has losses in her career. Overall, she sits at 107-32 in her career.
- Head coach Ken Eriksen has now won 40-or-more games in 17 of his 25 seasons as head coach and 10-or-more conference games in 20.
Up Nextw
The Bulls continue the weekend series against Memphis tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET.
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 –
