BATS: USF Rolls Against FGCU, to Face Florida in Regional Finals

The Bulls finally got their bats in gear, winning 8-3 over Florida Gulf Coast in the NCAA Softball Regionals on Saturday. They got things going early -- the four runs they scored in the second inning were all that they needed. The loss sent the Eagles to the losers' bracket.

Kenshyra Jackson led the hitting, going 4-for-4 with an RBI. But it was a team effort, as five Bulls had at least one RBI (led by Gina Kalafas' two RBI on a second-inning triple), seven Bulls had at least one of the twelve hits, and seven scored at least one run.

For comedic relief, in the video to the right, leave it to coach Ken Eriksen: "I don't know what they did, dreaming wise, but I hope they do it again, because twelve hits on the board for us is like it hadn't rained in Texas for five years."

Lindsey Richardson pitched 3.1 strong innings, only giving up one run on three hits. Sara Nevins, who I've heard is a boss, pitched the final 3.2 innings, giving up two runs and earning the win. The two pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

In the losers' bracket, the Gators first eliminated UCF 7-1, and then got revenge on FGCU for their loss on Friday, knocking out the Eagles 6-2. On Sunday, the Bulls will have two chances to end Florida's season and advance to the DC Comic-sounding Super Regionals, while the Gators will need to beat USF twice to advance. And with both #12 seed UCLA and Florida State having been eliminated from the Los Angeles Regional opposite theirs, the Bulls should be in line to host that Super Regional next weekend if they can get a win tomorrow.