USF Softball Faces Penn State and Virginia Tech in Double Header

The USF softball team, 15-4, faces another weekend of critical games as they continue their strong start to the season. After sweeping Central Michigan in a double header on Wednesday, the ladies return to the diamond in the USF Under Armour Showcase Tournament. The first day of the tournament will be held here on campus then on Saturday, the ladies will head to Clearwater for the next two games.

In the first day, the ladies will face Penn State (2PM) and then will face Virginia Tech (4:15).

Penn State enters the game with a 6-8 record on the season. The Nittany Lions are led by junior infielder Alyssa Renwick (5-7) who is batting .341 with 3 RBIs this season. Sophomore catcher Liz Presto (5-7) is batting .278 with 2 RBIs. Junior infielder Kailyn Johnson (5-8) is batting .244 and sophomore outfielder Alyssa Sovereign (5-5) is batting .239 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs (biggest power threat in their batting order). The pitching rotation is led by senior LHP Lisa Akamine (5-6). She is 4-4 on the year after working 34.2 innings, allowing 38 hits, 35 walks, and has struck out 45 batters. Sophomore RHP Jordan Wheatley (5-11) is 0-1 after working 22.1 innings, allowing 23 hits, 17 walks, and has struck out 13 batters.

The Nittany Lions are not a powerful team, but every game is cruticial for the Bulls as they continue their great start to the year. Look for the USF pitching rotation to shut down their bats and the timely hitting of the Bulls to come through in the first game.

In the second game, the Bulls face the Virginia Tech Hokies who enter the game with a 13-7 record (they play Penn State earlier in the game, game slated to start at 4:15).

The Hokies are led by junior first baseman/catcher Courtney Liddle (5-1) who is batting .375 with 3 home runs and has driven in 15 runs on the year. Freshman outfielder Lauren Gaskill (5-4) is batting .345 with 4 RBIs and is 10 of 11 in steal attempts this season. Sophomore short stop/outfielder Dani Anderson (5-8) is batting .339 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs. Freshman 3rd baseman/catcher Kelsey Mericka (5-8) is batting .327 with 2 home runs and has driven in 13 RBIs. The pitching staff is led by Jasmin Harrell who is 8-3 on the year (1.56 ERA) while throwing 76.1 innings, allowing 55 hits, 17 walks, and has struck out 61 batters (.204 batting average against her). Bailey Liddle is 3-3 on the year (1.65 ERA) while tossing 29.2 innings, allowing 15 hits, 16 walks, and has struck out 25 batters, giving the Hokies two strong arms.

This game will be a tough test for the Bulls. VaTech is a solid club with a deep batting order. The Bulls will need their pitchers to be at their best in this game.