TAMPA, Feb. 24, 2024 – Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) matched her career-high of nine strikeouts in the University of South Florida softball team’s (9-5) shutout win over the Pitt Panthers (6-7) on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls won with a score of 4-0.
Baily Drapola (Brookfield, Ohio) and Camille Ortiz-Martinez (Salinas, Puerto Rico) were hit by a pitch in the third inning to put two runners on. Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) hit a fly ball to center field, but an error by Pitt allowed two runs to score.
The Bulls did not earn their first hit until the fourth inning when Kathy Garcia-Soto hit a single. She stole second base and another error by the Panthers allowed her to score to give the Bulls a 3-0 lead.
Dixon earned her sixth start and quickly settled in. Through the first four innings, she had retired seven batters. After six innings, Dixon had tied her career-high of nine strikeouts.
DaNia Brooks (Tampa) hit the first double of her career in the sixth inning and also earned her second RBI of her career to give the Bulls a 4-0 lead.
Notables
- Dixon earned her fifth win of the season.
- Brooks had the only RBI of the game.
- Drapola was hit by a pitch twice.
- The Bulls were hit by a pitch four times, the most this season.
- All of Dixon’s strikeouts were swinging.
Up Next
The Bulls will close out the South Florida Showdown tomorrow with a game against the Yale Bulldogs. The first pitch is set for 11:30 a.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 –
