USF kicks off its season against two teams that made last year’s NCAA tournament
TAMPA, Feb. 10, 2022 – The University of South Florida softball team takes the field for the first time in the 2022 campaign on Thursday, beginning a four-game weekend set against some of the top competition in Division I softball.
The Bulls begin the weekend on Thursday against Illinois State at 5:30 p.m. USF will then play Kansas City on Friday (3 p.m.), No. 13/16 Michigan on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) and No. 5/6 Florida on Sunday (12 p.m.).
The Bulls are coming off a 31-19 season in its 2021 campaign, which saw the team reach the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2014. The team returns two-time All-American Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.), who is set to break many USF career pitching records this season, as well as 2021 all-conference selections Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.) and Alexis Johns (Sarasota, Fla.).
Corrick is coming off a season where she tossed a 24-9 record with three saves in 39 appearances. She tossed a 0.98 ERA and 333 strikeouts, while also throwing 15 shutouts, the most in NCAA Divison I, and 28 complete games.
Pierro hit .250 in 92 at-bats last year, adding four extra base hits and 14 RBIs to her total. The infielder also stole 18 bases, ranking third in the AAC. Johns is USF’s leading returner in the batter’s box with a .254 average last season. The speedy outfielder also stole 22 bases, second on the team and in the AAC.
While the NCAA has allowed the use of instant replay reviews for umpires in Division I softball this season, in accordance with American Athletic Conference policy, USF will only debut replay review in select home games in non-conference play, including the game against Niagara and the doubleheader against Stetson.
Scouting the Opponents
Illinois State
Date: Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. ISU: USF leads, 13-3
Players to Watch:
- Kaili Chval – Hit .336 in 116 at-bats last season to finish second on the team. Scored 22 runs, with six extra base hits and 17 RBIs.
- Emme Olson – Hit .318 in 129 at-bats last season to finish third on the team in average, while also hitting four home runs. Selected to the 2022 preseason all-conference team.
Notes: Illinois State looks to build off a Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championship last season with another successful campaign in 2022. The team finished 31-10, including a 17-5 record in league play, in 2021 but missed the NCAA tournament.
Kansas City
Date: Feb. 11 at 3 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. KC: First meeting
Players to Watch:
- Kloe Hilbrenner – All-Summit League First Team selection in 2021 … Hit .354 with 68 hits, six home runs and 20 RBIs in 2021.
Notes: The Roos finished 2021 with a 29-26 record, including an 11-13 mark in conference play. The team was one of the last three in the Summit League tournament, before being eliminated by the eventual champions in South Dakota State.
No. 13/16 Michigan
Date: Feb. 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. UM: Michigan leads, 17-10
Players to Watch:
- Lexie Blair – Led Michigan with a .406 average in 155 at-bats last season … Scored 42 runs with six home runs last season … 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year … D1Softball Preseason All-American … USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watchlist selection.
- Meghan Beaubien – Owns a 1.46 ERA in 671.1 career innings pitched … Has thrown 787 strikeouts … D1Softball Preseason All-American … USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watchlist selection.
Notes: Michigan finished last season with a 38-8 record, reaching the NCAA regional finals before falling to Washington in back-to-back games.
No. 5/6 Florida
Date: Feb. 13 at noon
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. UF: Florida leads, 50-13
Players to Watch:
- Hannah Adams – Hit .356 in 177 at-bats in 2021 … Earned a spot on the 2022 preseason All-SEC team … Named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watchlist … D1Softball Preseason All-American … Has 20 home runs in 217 games in her career.
- Charla Echols – Hit. 375 in 160 at-bats in 2021 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs … Preseason All-SEC team selection … USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watchlist selection … D1Softball Preseason All-American … 2022 USA Women’s National Team player.
- Elizabeth Hightower – Threw a 1.61 ERA and a 17-6 record in 35 appearances last season … Limited opposition to a .177 average in 2021 … Preseason All-SEC Team selection.
Notes: Florida is coming off a 45-11 campaign in 2021, where they made NCAA Super Regionals and were the SEC regular season champions, finishing the season at No. 9 in the country. The team returns 16 of 21 letterwinners and six of 10 starters.
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 –
