USF Baseball and Softball Sweep Sunday For A Perfect Weekend

While we were all focused on the men's basketball team's big win against Pittsburgh last night, the baseball and softball teams were busy finishing perfect weekends across the Bay Area.

Ken Eriksen's squad used some timely hitting and another quality start from Lindsey Richardson as the softball team pushed their record to 6-1 with a 2-0 win over Georgia Southern (5-5) in the final game of the USF Invitational. Richardson (4-0) pitched six innings, giving up only three hits and a walk while striking out nine Eagles. Georgia Southern's Sarah Purvis matched Richardson for five innings, but USF was able to put things together in the bottom of the 6th.

The Bulls loaded the bases with one out thanks to a leadoff double by Janine Richardson and some control problems from Purvis. Then LSU transfer Jessica Mouse stepped up to the plate, and she came through with a single that brought in Richardson and Ilaura Reeves. That was all that the runs USF needed, as freshman Sam Griner came in the 7th and shut down any chance of a rally, earning her first career save for the Bulls.

Baseball ran their record to 3-0 by taking care of Minnesota 4-3 on Sunday via the ol' curfew rule when the Golden Gophers had to bolt in the top of the 8th inning to get back home. The game reverted to the end of the last inning and became a final. I should add that Minnesota (1-2) had runners on the corners with none out when the game was called, but at the point I will take any victory no matter how it happens.

Andrew Barbosa looked sharp in his first action following Tommy John surgery last year, striking out three and giving up two walks and two earned runs in two-plus innings. Barbosa was on a strict pitch count yesterday, and after the two walks to start the 3rd inning, he was relieved by Derrick Stultz (1-0), himself coming back from a series of shoulder problems that forced him to miss the last two seasons. Stultz gave up only one unearned run in 2.2 innings of work. Janick Serrallonga recorded the last out for the Bulls and was awarded his first save of the season.

Todd Brazeal once again has another solid game at the plate, going 2-for-4 on the afternoon with 2 RBI, while Daniel Rockhold and Blake Sydeski each knocked in a run for the Bulls.

The baseball team will host North Florida on Wednesday at the New Red before welcoming in Bethune-Cookman this weekend. The softball team will participate in the NFCA Tournament this weekend at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater.