USF Comes-From-Behind Twice to Beat Stetson

[MatRatUSF]

http://gobulls.usf.edu/Sports/News.aspi=735&s=Softball

TAMPA, Fla. (May 9, 2004)-The University of South Florida closed out its regular season with two come-from-behind wins over intra-state rival Stetson, Sunday afternoon at the USF Softball Complex. On a day where the Bulls honored four seniors, it was an underclassman that came through in the clutch. In game one Krista Holle tied the game at 1-1 and then in the bottom of the seventh in game two, she delivered the game winning single. USF went on to win 4-1 and 4-3. USF improved its record to 55-10 on the year and 33-3 at home.

In game one, the Hatters struck first after three scoreless innings in the fourth with back-to-back doubles by starting pitcher Blake Hooreblake and Carrie Cruit.

Until Krista Holle singled up the middle in the fifth, Stetson starter Hooreblake retired 11 straight Bulls batters. Holle moved up to second on a Sarah Watson ground out and then to third on a Samantha Ray single. Kattrina Dowd tied the game up at 1-1 with a single up the middle that scored Holle. The Bulls then pulled off a textbook double steal that resulted in an error by the shortstop covering third that allowed Ray to score and Dowd to third. Shelly Riker followed it up by laying down a bunt down the first baseline that scored Dowd on the play.

The Bulls added another run in the sixth on a sac fly by Holle that scored Stewart. Stewart doubled earlier in the inning and advanced to third on a passed ball.

USF starter Leigh Ann Ellis picked up her 38th win of the season pitching all seven innings, only giving up those two doubles in the fourth inning, walking one and striking out eight.

In game two, Stetson jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first after Hooreblake singled through the right side that scored Brittani Houghton from third.

The Bulls responded in the bottom half of the inning when Shelly Riker reached second on a throwing error by the pitcher, moved up to third on a Liwag single and then scored on a Christie Chapman single to left field.

USF took a 2-1 lead on an RBI single by Riker that scored Ray from second.

Bull’s starter Kasey Cash, found herself in a jam in the top of the fourth with runners on first and second, pinch hitter Carolyn Garliepp singled to right center that scored pinch runner Ashley Aaron, to tie the game at 2-2.

In the top of the fifth, Ellis entered the game in relief of Cash with the bases loaded and one out. Shawna Wiggs scored on an illegal pitch by Ellis, giving the Hatters a 3-2 lead. Ellis went on to strikeout the last two Stetson hitters of the inning.

The Bull’s loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth but could not manage to tie up the ball-game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Liwag started things off with a single through the right side and then moved up to second on a wild pitch. Holly Groves singled to the shortstop, Chapman followed with a single to right center to load the bases for Stewart. Stewart then flied out to right field but an arid throw by the right fielder allowed Liwag to tie the game at 3-3. Holle won the game for the Bulls with a single to right field that scored Groves from third.

Ellis picked up her second win of the day and her fifth this week to run her record to 39-4 on the year.

USF will now wait to see where the Bulls will be seeded for the Conference USA tournament in Louisville, Ky. which starts on Thursday.

[smazza]

won't we be seated NO. 1?

great win ladies

that is way to close out season strong

[Guest Guest]

i don't know, but i'll be seated, my legs are getting tired.  

[The Sheriff]

should be a number 2 seed behind the Cards. It will be interesting to see how many games LeAnne Ellis throws back to back. A pitcher for Southern Miss three years ago pitched almost every game for USM if I recall right and had a hell've a record carrying them far into the post season! I bullieve our hopes lie on LeAnne holding up the fort!

[Velcro]

55-10 on the regular season   wow, impressive... if they can win the cusa tourney, they'll have over 60, and i believe 70 isn't out of the question after regionals/superregionals, if they can get that far.

[bulls96go]

go lady bulls!

wish eddie could get the guy's to play like that

[smazza]

when do playoffs begin

[bulls96go]

top seed?