FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kathy Garcia-Soto and Alex Wilkes each produced three hits for the University of South Florida softball team against Washington on Friday. Anne Long tossed her 15th complete game of the season as the Bulls (43-15) defeated the Huskies (36-19) 3-1.
Wilkes went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, extending her hitting streak to 10 games. Garcia-Soto went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Alexa Galligani went 2-for-4 with a team-high two RBIs and a run scored. Karhys Pierce reached base safely in 12 straight games with a hit today. Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to eight games. Toryn Fulton drew a walk and has reached base safely in 10 straight games.
Long was outstanding in the circle for the Bulls, striking out five batters and allowing just one run. She improved to 22-5 on the season.
Wilkes led off the top of the second with a single to left center. Pierce followed with a single to right-center. DaNia Brooks laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third with one out. Jamia Nelson hit a high chopper to the shortstop and reached on a fielder’s choice. Wilkes was out at home on the play. The score remained scoreless as the inning headed to the bottom of the second.
Jadyn Glab put Washington on the board in the bottom of the second with a solo home run to center field. The Huskies carried a 1-0 lead into the third.
Garcia-Soto delivered a one-out double to left center to start the top of the third inning for the Bulls. Galligani came through with an RBI single to right field. The Bulls tied the game at 1-1 after two and a half innings.
Washington had the leadoff hitter reach on a single to start the bottom of the fourth. Wilkes made a spectacular diving stop on a hard-hit ball up the middle. She used a glove flip to Garcia-Soto, who turned the double play for the Bulls. The game remained tied as it moved into the fifth.
Elliott started the top of the seventh with a one-out single up the middle. Garcia-Soto followed with a single down the third-base line. Galligani singled to center, driving in Elliott from second. Garcia-Soto tried to score on an error but was thrown out at the plate. Wilkes delivered a two-out single to right field, extending USF’s lead to 3-1.
Long retired the side in order in the bottom of the third, securing a 3-1 victory.
GAME NOTES:
• Olivia Elliott extended her hitting streak to eight games.
• Alex Wilkes extended her hitting streak to 10 games.
• Karhys Pierce reached base safely in 12 straight games, with a hit today.
• Toryn Fulton reached base safely in 10 consecutive games.
• Anne Long picked up her 22nd win of the season and her 15th complete game.
• The Bulls moved to 40-2 after scoring more than three runs.
• USF improved to 35-4 when they out-hit their opponents.
• South Florida moves to 30-3 when they hold opponents to two or fewer runs.
