TAMPA, Fla. February 5, 2024 – For the USF softball program, the ultimate destination remains clear.
It’s the NCAA Regionals — with a shot at reaching the Women’s College World Series at Oklahoma City.
Coach Ken Eriksen’s Bulls fell short last season, finishing 32-24 and being eliminated in the American Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals.
After watching the Bulls qualify for the regionals in eight of the 10 previous non-COVID seasons, Eriksen said USF’s program has been invigorated by talented newcomers, motivated holdovers and his own attention to detail.
For a few seasons, Eriksen led a double life — USF’s leader and coach of the U.S. National Team. After helping the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Eriksen has retired from international competition and he’s now singularly focused on getting USF back into national-championship contention.
“Coming back after the Olympics, and the three years prior to that, I wasn’t able to go out and see (players) as much as I wish I could have,’’ said Eriksen, entering his 27th season as USF’s head coach. “But going back out now and putting some pieces back together, I feel really good about this team.
“I think it’s probably the most athletic team we’ve ever had at USF. I feel really good about putting a product out there where these guys really know what they’re doing. I’ll probably just stay out of the way this year. They’re that good as far as athletic ability goes.’’
As the Bulls prepare for the USF-Rawlings Invitational — Thursday’s season-opening double-header against Illinois State and Bethune-Cookman, followed by daily games against Michigan, Oregon State and No. 17-ranked Florida — the program’s major strengths seem evident.
Depth.
And defense.
Lots and lots of defense.
Led by infielder Kathy Garcia-Soto, the AAC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season as a freshman, the Bulls have the qualities of a championship program. They can catch it. They know where to throw it. And in the outfield they can go get it.
“I think we have a ton of rabbits in the outfield,’’ said infielder Marissa Trivelpiece, who batted .303 last season. “I personally love it. You really don’t have to worry about any balls dropping on the ground. And if they drop, there’s going to be a blood spot from where they tried (to catch it on a diving attempt).
“On the infield, we have a lot of utility people. In my time here (last season after transferring from Michigan State), I’ve played every spot in the infield. We have so much versatility and so much knowledge that you just don’t have to worry about anybody, no matter where they’re playing in the field.’’
Eriksen said he loves USF’s depth, but an abundance of promising players often “keeps me up at night’’ while pondering the potential lineups. There’s the veteran Jordyn Kadlub, the return of Alanah Rivera (a 2022 starter who missed all of last season due to injury) and promising freshman newcomers such as DaNia Brooks, Alex Wilkes and Jamie Nelson. Catching is in especially good hands with Josie Foreman, Rian Eigenmann and Camille Ortiz-Martinez, each of whom is capable of being a regular.
“We have a lot of players who could be everyday starters,’’ Eriksen said. “Depth is a good thing.’’
Particularly on the mound.
The Bulls will rely on left-hander Payton Dixon (13-6, 1.50 ERA last season), but Eriksen is also high on junior Belle Sardja, a two-time national champion at Florida Southwestern College where she was 41-5 and first-year prospect Julia Apostolakos. There are also change-of-pace options in Alex Wright and Lexie Kopko.
“I like this team and think it has a whole bunch of upside,’’ Eriksen said.
The Bulls, picked fourth in the AAC preseason poll, are playing a rigorous non-conference schedule (including a home double-header against Washington and Oklahoma State, both WCWS teams last season) that should prepare them for a postseason run.
“I didn’t come here to leave without a ring on my finger,’’ Trivelpiece said. “I think we’re going to have a different outcome than last year. Our goal is to make it to the postseason and grab a few rings along the way. Ideally, we want to get to Oklahoma City. That takes some work, but we’re here to do it.’’
“I think not making it (postseason) last year was really hard for us,’’ Kadlub said. “We just don’t ever want to feel that again. So that’s our motivation this year.’’
Eigenmann said USF players were bothered last season while watching other teams compete in the regionals.
“That was in my head the whole offseason,’’ Eigenmann said. “We are determined to come back and show everybody what we’re really made of.’’
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 –
