Bruni breaks the AAC career stolen bases record as she swipes three in the win
TAMPA, FLA. Mar. 28, 2021 – The University of South Florida softball team wrapped up its opening series in conference play by completing the four-game sweep of the Memphis Tigers with a 5-1 win on Sunday morning.
AnaMarie Bruni (Schwenksville, Pa.) stole three bases in the victory, bringing her career total to 82. The mark sets a new American Athletic Conference record and places her No. 2 on USF’s list as she passed Kristen Wyckoff who stole 81 bases between 2014 and 2017. Shelly Riker (2001-04) holds the program-best with 104 steals.
Georgina Corrick (Sanford, Fla.) earned the win in today’s game, throwing a complete game and only allowing one unearned run. Bruni went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and two runs. Alexis Johns (Sarasota, Fla.) hit a triple and scored a run, while Megan Pierro (Lutz, Fla.) went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
The Bulls (14-6, 4-0 AAC) started off quickly, with Johns leading off the bottom of the first with a triple. Bruni singled her home in the next at-bat to give USF the 1-0 lead. Two innings later, Bruni helped manufacture a run. After getting hit by a pitch, the outfielder stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sac-fly from Brooke Hartman (Port Orange, Fla.).
USF extended its lead again in the fourth. Pierro doubled down the right-field line and scored Brooke Leistl (Valrico, Fla.) and Alanah Rivera (St. Petersburg, Fla.) to give the Bulls a 4-0 lead. Memphis answered in the top of the sixth, with LaNya Bates scoring on a passed ball to make the score 4-1. USF responded in its half of the sixth, with Bruni scoring on a wild pitch to end the scoring at 5-1. Corrick kept dealing in the circle in the seventh to give USF the victory.
Notables
- Bruni’s three stolen bases on the day was the second time this series a USF runner stole three bases in a game. Pierro stole three in the series opener on Friday, the first time a Bull accomplished the feat since Astin Donovan against Elon in 2018.
- USF drew 21 walks in the series.
- The Bulls are on an 11-game win streak.
- Corrick has not allowed an earned run in her last nine appearances, dating back to New Mexico State on March 10. Since her last earned run, she has thrown 47.1 innings and struck out 74 batters.
Quotable
Head coach Ken Eriksen on moving forward…
“Right now, we’re kind of getting some rhythm. Pitchers and catchers are working together really well at this point. They’re finding where they’re at and the hitters are finding their place in the lineup. We’ve got a challenge ahead of us now against a team next week that has played a lot more games than we have. We’ll see how our team does.”
Up Next
The Bulls go on their first road trip of the season, heading to Houston for a four-game series beginning on Thursday, April 1.
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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
