FORT MYERS, March 11, 2024 – The University of South Florida softball team (19-9, 1-2 AAC) split a doubleheader with the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (16-10, 0-0 ASUN) on Monday night. South Florida dropped the first game with a final score of 2-1 while defeating the Eagles 3-1 in the second game.
Game 1 | FGCU 2, South Florida 1
South Florida was the first team to score. In the top of the third inning, Jordyn Kadlub (Wesley Chapel) hit her second triple of the season. Bailey Drapola (Brookfield, Ohio) brought her home with a sacrifice fly.
Through the first four innings, Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) had retired seven batters and walked none.
In the bottom of the sixth inning with one on, FGCU hit a home run over the left-center wall to take the 2-1 lead.
Dixon finished the game with 11 strikeouts, two shy of her career-high. Dixon threw her fifth complete game of the season, and her second allowing no walks.
Game 2 | FGCU 1, South Florida 3
It didn’t take long for the Bulls to get on the board. Olivia Elliott (Tampa) earned a lead-off walk and then stole second. Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg) followed with a single and then advanced on an Eagles error. The error allowed Elliott to cross the plate.
The Eagles answered in the bottom half of the inning with three singles to tie the game at one.
The Bulls had a chance to take the lead in the fourth inning after two singles and an Eagles error loaded the bases. Nothing came of the loaded bases and the game was still tied at one.
South Florida got two on after a walk and another Eagles error. Marissa Trivelpiece (Sugarloaf, Pa.) singled through the right side to bring DaNia Brooks (Tampa) across the plate and give South Florida the 2-1 lead.
After coming in to pinch hit in the seventh inning, first-year infielder Jamia Nelson (Haverford, Pa.) hit a solo home run over the left-field wall to give the Bulls a 3-1 lead. It was the first home run of her career.
Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) pitched the first 4.1 innings and struck out one. Dixon entered the game in the fifth inning and pitched the remainder of the game. Dixon earned her 10th win of the season.
Notables
- Marissa Trivelpiece hit her second double of the season.
- The Bulls had two triples on the day.
- Dixon finished with 12 strikeouts on the day.
- Rivera led with three hits.
Up Next
South Florida welcomes Colgate to the USF Softball Stadium for a doubleheader on Tuesday. The first game is set for 5 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 –
