TAMPA, March 2, 2024 – Behind stellar defensive plays and all-around pitching, the University of South Florida softball team (14-6) defeated the Louisville Cardinals (14-5) on Saturday evening.The Bulls defeated the Cardinals with a score of 4-3.
With the win, South Florida is now two wins away from reaching 1,500 wins in program history, while Ken Eriksen is three away from reaching 1,100 career wins.
Louisville scored first in the opening frame off two errors from the Bulls. South Florida answered with four runs in the bottom half of the first.
After two singles and a fielder’s choice, Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) singled up the middle to tie the game at one. A walk from Tieley Vaughn (Wesley Chapel) loaded the bases for the Bulls. Back-to-back singles scored the runs for South Florida.
Louisville cut South Florida’s lead to one with a run in the second inning and one run in the third inning.
The Bulls held the Cardinals to three runs with amazing defensive plays from Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.), Kathy Garcia-Soto (Tampa), Rivera, and Vaughn.
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the seventh, but back-to-back outs gave the Bulls the win.
Julia Apostolakos (Beachwood, N.J.) earned her fourth start of her career. She pitched 2.1 innings and struck out one. Kopko pitched 3.1 innings and also struck out one batter. She earned her first win of the season. Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) pitched the final 1.1 innings, earning her second save.
Notables
- Trivelpiece led with two RBI.
- Kopko did not allow a single walk.
- Six different Bulls recorded a hit.
- South Florida is now two wins away from reaching 1,500 in program history.
- Ken Eriksen is now three wins away from 1,100 in his career.
Up Next
South Florida will continue the USF Tournament tomorrow with a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas. The first pitch is set for 2:30 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 –
