The University of South Florida softball team lost a close game, 2-1, to East Carolina in Greenville on April 18 during the second match of their three-game series. The Bulls are now tied for first place with North Texas and Wichita State in the American Athletic Conference.
This matchup was important as both teams are competing for top positions within their conference. The outcome could influence postseason standings and momentum heading into the final games of the regular season.
Belle Sardja pitched a complete game for South Florida, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out three batters. Alexa Galligani led her team with two hits, marking her fifteenth multi-hit game this season. Karhys Pierce contributed an RBI single that tied the score at one in the fifth inning. Sam Walz scored a run and went one-for-one at bat, while several other Bulls also recorded hits. Olivia Elliott extended her streak of reaching base safely to thirteen games.
East Carolina scored first in the opening inning but was held to just one run despite loading the bases. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Erin Parker hit a solo home run for ECU, securing their victory.
South Florida will play East Carolina again on Sunday morning to conclude this weekend’s series.
The USF softball program has made eighteen NCAA tournament appearances and reached the Women’s College World Series in 2012 under head coach Ken Eriksen, who is entering his twenty-ninth season with over 1,100 career wins. Georgina Corrick achieved national recognition by earning the NCAA Pitching Triple Crown in 2022.
University of South Florida Athletics is part of NCAA Division I sports and participates in the American Athletic Conference according to its official website. The department supports twenty-one varsity teams and emphasizes leadership development as well as community involvement according to its official website.
USF Athletics has produced twenty-two Olympians from thirteen countries according to its official website, won seventeen national championships according to its official website, and earned one hundred fifty-six conference championships according to its official website. Its athletic district features updated venues for baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball according to its official website.
University officials say they promote inclusion and equity throughout all programs according to its official website.
