TAMPA, April 17, 2024– After upsetting the Florida Gators and taking the series against Wichita State, the University of South Florida Softball team will head to Greenville, N.C. for a weekend series against the East Carolina Pirates this Friday through Sunday.
Last week, South Florida went 3-1, upsetting, then, No. 9 Florida in Gainesville and taking the series against Wichita State.
Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) and Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) pitched complete games last week. Dixon pitched a complete game against Florida, earning her 15th win of the season and the Bulls’ first win over the Gators since May 20, 2012. She struck out five batters.
On Saturday, Sardja pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout against Wichita State. She held the Shockers to one hit, the least amount of hits since May 21, 2022. Sarda pitched 10.2 scoreless innings and earned two wins last weekend, earning this week’s American Athletic Pitcher of the Week.
DaNia Brooks (Tampa) led the Bulls with a .583 batting average. She hit her first career home run to tie Sunday’s game, then hit the game-winning RBI to secure the series win. Brooks totaled seven hits, five RBI, and scored one run last week.
Alexa Galligani (White Plains, N.Y.) has stretched her on-base streak to a season-high 18 games. She leads the team with the longest on-base streak.
Round Up for the Opponents
East Carolina (30-14, 7-11)*
Date: April 19-21 | 5 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 11 a.m.
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Watch: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Series vs. East Carolina: South Florida leads, 35-12
Notable Information:
- East Carolina will have a mid-week game at UNC-Wilmington tonight at 5 p.m.
- Emma Jackson leads the Pirates with a .424 batting average. She has 64 hits in 151 plate appearances. Jackson has 22 doubles, two triples, and nine home runs.
- In the circle, Taylor Apple has been the Pirates ace. She has pitched 125 innings and struck out 92 batters. Apple has pitched seven complete games.
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 –
