USF Softball Enters Second Day of the NFCA Tournament

It's the second day of the NFCA tournament.  After facing Illinois and Mississippi State on the first day, the Bulls, 8-1, take on two more teams as they look to continue their strong start to the season.  USF is out to a hot start to begin the year and need to keep it going in day two.

In the first game (starting early this morning at 10:30AM) the Bulls take on Boston University.  This is just the third game of the season for them, as they enter at.  BU went 34-18 last year and will be trying to start their season strong.

BU is led by sophomore catcher/outfielder Jayme Mask (5-2).  She is 4 for 7 to start the season.  Sophomore infielder Megan Volpano (5-4) is 2 for 6 to start with the season with 3 RBIs.  Senior infielder/outfielder Erica Casacci (5-2) is 2 for 7 with one RBI to begin the 2012 season. 

The pitching rotation is anchored by sophomore Holli Floetke (6-0).  She is 1-0 after pitching 8 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, and has struck out 3.  Junior Whitney Tuthill (5-10) has worked 3 innings, allowing 7 hits, 6 runs, 3 walks, and has struck out 4 (hope we get to face her on offense).

After facing BU, the ladies will take on Illinois State in the afternoon game (game scheduled to start at 3:30PM). The Bulls were slated to play the Red Birds earlier in the season back in Tampa, but their game was rained out.  They will play that make up game tomorrow afternoon.  Illinois State is 7-4 entering the day (stats do not include their first game of the day).

Senior outfielder Lizzie Andrews (5-7) is batting .367 to start the season with 2 home runs and has driven in 7 runs so far.  Junior outfielder Lauren Kellar (5-8) is batting .361 with 2 home runs to begin the season.  Senior catcher Caiti Kopp (5-8) is batting .304 with 9 RBIs, driving in runs when it matters most.  Junior outfielder Jhavan Hamilton (5-8) is batting .314 with 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and has 6 steals.

The pitching rotation is anchored by senior Jordan Birch (5-9).  She is 4-3 to start the season with a 2.33 ERA.  She has pitched 30 innings with 24 hits allowed, 9 walks, and has struck out 41 batters (.214 batting average against her). Senior Megan Warner (6-0) is 3-0 on the season with a 3.46 ERA.  She has pitched 28.1 innings, allowing 36 hits, 12 walks, and has struck out 15 batters (hitting .305 against her to start the year).