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TAMPA - Nicole Doyle was absolutely on fire on Friday for USF softball as they coasted to a 2-0 start at the USF-Rawlings Invitational with wins over Virginia Tech and Georgia State.
Doyle pitched the final two innings against the Hokies in the early game, then immediately went back to the circle to start against the Panthers. She dominated through nine total innings, allowing just one hit in those two appearances.
Her complete game shutout in the nightcap was the key to USF’s 4-0 victory.
The Bulls’ bats, fresh off of scoring seven runs in the early game, got off to a good start versus GSU, when Lindsey Devitt hit a sacrifice fly in the first to score Anamarie Bruni, who drew a lead-off walk, then stole second and third to set up the run.
In the Georgia State half of the third, the Panthers got their first and only hit, courtesy of Alyssa Ward.
It was short lived - Tayli Filla snagged a pop-up bunt and threw to first to get a quick double play.
Jaycie Michael swiped her second bag of the evening in the third. She’d swap places with Bethaney Keen after Keen dumped an RBI double just inside the left field line. The sophomore didn’t stay there long. Macy Cook jumped on the second pitch she saw for an RBI single to extend the Bulls’ lead to 3-0.
USF tacked on another run in the sixth. Keen doubled to the right-center wall to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Megan Pierro sent her home on an RBI single to center.
Doyle finished the night by retiring 11 consecutive batters. She walked two and struck out five in the one-hitter, winning her second decision on the year.
Keen finished 2-for-2 (both doubles) with a walk, and a run scored. She was 3-for-5 on the day with a pair of RBIs. Pierro went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, good for three hits on the day. Michael and Bruni both had two stolen bases in the nightcap.
USF returns to action with another game against Georgia State at 3 p.m. The Bulls will play Texas State after that in Day Two of the USF-Rawlings Invitational.