TAMPA, March 1, 2024 – The University of South Florida softball team (13-6) split the opening day of the USF Tournament, defeating Louisville (13-4) and falling to Georgia Southern (12-3). The Bulls defeated the Cardinals, 3-1, and fell to the Eagles, 7-3.
With the win, South Florida is now three wins away from reaching 1,500 wins in program history, while Ken Eriksen is four away from reaching 1,100 career wins.
Game One | Louisville 1, South Florida 3
South Florida took the early 3-0 lead in the opening frame. Three straight singles quickly loaded the bases for the Bulls. Bailey Drapola (Brookfield, Ohio) hit a sacrifice fly to bring Alexa Galligani (White Plains, N.Y.) across the plate.
Drapola hit a sacrifice fly to give South Florida the 1-0 lead. A double from Tieley Vaughn (Wesley Chapel) scored the final two runs for the Bulls.
Louisville cut South Florida’s lead to two in the third inning with a single up the middle to bring the runner on second home.
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the seventh. A ground out to Vaughn ended the game.
Belle Sardja (Gibsonton) earned the start for the Bulls and retired the Cardinals, three up, three down in five of her six innings. She struck out five batters and only allowed two hits.
Payton Dixon (Smyrna, Del.) pitched the final inning of the game, earning her first save of the season.
Game Two | Georgia Southern 7, South Florida 3
A single up the middle from Alex Wilkes (Tampa) scored the Bulls’ first run in the top of the first after Olivia Elliot (Tampa) singled and then stole second to put herself in scoring position.
Georgia Southern took the 4-1 lead after scoring one run in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth.
The Bulls came within one after scoring two runs in the sixth inning. Vaughn hit an RBI double, her second of the day. Rian Eigenmann (Millville, N.J.) hit a hard-hit single to the pitcher. A throwing error on the Eagles’ second basemen allowed Eigenmann to advance to second and bring Lauren Bevis (St. Johns) across the plate.
Georgia Southern extended their lead in the seventh inning, scoring three runs.
Dixon earned the start for South Florida. She pitched five innings and struck out four batters. Julia Apostolakos (Beachwood, N.J.) and Lexie Kopko (Stewartstown, Pa.) each pitched an inning. Apostolakos struck out one batter.
Notables
- Elliott led the Bulls with four hits.
- Galligani followed with three hits.
- Sardja and Dixon totaled 10 strikeouts, each having five.
- South Florida was 4-for-4 on stolen bases.
- South Florida is now three wins away from reaching 1,500 in program history.
- Ken Eriksen is now four wins away from 1,100 in his career.
Up Next
South Florida will continue the USF Tournament tomorrow at 4 p.m. with another game against the Louisville Cardinals.
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 –
