The USF Bulls are 40-8 (13-3) on the season, but are coming off a rough series against the Louisville Cardinals. As the Bulls head down the stretch, the strength of the team, the pitching staff, will have to rise and the return of Lindsey Richardson will be key for the ladies.
The pitching staff is still led by Sara Nevins (the boss) but she struggled a bit against the Cardinals. She is 23-4 on the year with 4 saves and now has her ERA at 1.01 (not too shabby). She has worked 187 innings, allowing 116 hits, 35 walks, and has struck out 244 batters (.174 batting average against her). There should be some concern if she is a little tired after working so many innings, but Eriksen knows what is best and has two other strong arms to conserve her down the stretch. The team has not played a game in a week as well, giving her time to rest and prepare for the stretch run.
If Erksen needs to give Nevins a game off or bring in another arm, he has strong pitchers he can bring in at any point to help the staff. Lindsey Richardson, back from her shoulder strain has been throwing heat now that she is at full strength. She is 8-0 (1.48 ERA) on the season while working 47.1 innings, allowing 35 hits, 18 walks, and has struck out 64 batters (.199 batting average against her). Richardson has been key in relief appearances for the Bulls as of late, but is a strong starter and can take over whenever called upon. Freshman Sam Greiner is 9-4 on the season (1.42 ERA) while working 89 innings, allowing 67 hits, 23 walks, and has struck out 57 batters (.198 batting average against her). Greiner is a strong ground ball pitcher, so look for her down the stretch to come into late game situations to get a key out or to start a game, she can do it all.
The Bulls will use the time off to better prepare for the games that are coming up down the stretch as they look to make the NCAA tournament and make a deep run into the postseason.
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