TAMPA, Feb. 25, 2024 – Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) pitched her third complete game of the season in the University of South Florida softball team’s (10-5) shutout win over the Yale Bulldogs (1-4) on Sunday afternoon. The Bulls won with a score of 6-0.
South Florida took the early 1-0 lead in the second inning. Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) and Tieley Vaughn (Wesley Chapel) got on base and then advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Camille Ortiz-Martinez (Salinas, Puerto Rico). A sacrifice fly from Kathy Garcia-Soto (Tampa) gave South Florida the early lead.
The Bulls added to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings. A pair of runs were scored in the fourth inning off a bases-clearing double from Bailey Drapola (Brookfield, Ohio), her fifth double of the season.
Sam Walz (Tampa) pinch-ran after Rivera singled down the left-field line in the fifth inning. Walz showed her speed and stole second base, then advanced to third on an error from the Bulldogs catcher. A passed ball allowed Walz to score.
In the sixth inning, the Bulls added another pair of runs on back-to-back singles from Rivera and Sam Mallinder (Plainfield, Ill.) to score Allana Consolazio (Fort Myers) and Alyssa Rano (Seminole).
Sardja pitched her third complete game of the season, striking out a new season-high eight batters and allowing no walks. She earned her fourth win of the season.
Notables
- Three Bulls led with two hits.
- Six different Bulls scored a run.
- Drapola led with two RBI.
- South Florida is now six wins away from reaching 1,500 in program history.
- Ken Eriksen is now seven wins away from 1,100 in his career.
Up Next
South Florida will welcome the Stetson Hatters for a doubleheader on Wednesday, February 28. The games are set for 3 p.m. and 5:30 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 –
