Pitching Staff Leading the Way for USF Softball

The Bulls are headed to the WCWS in Oklahoma City starting on Thursday afternoon when they take on Oklahoma in the first game.  For the Bulls, it's been an amazing season so far.  A 50-12 record, their first time hosting the super regional, and first trip to the world series are all program firsts, but the team is not satisfied by just making to the series, they want to make some noise while they are there.  The team will have that chance due to the starting pitching they have.

The ace of the staff is Sara "Boss" Nevins.  The hard throwing left hander has improved in her sophomore season the tune of a 31-6 record and a 1.03 ERA.  She worked 245.2 innings this season, allowing 163 hits, 61 walks, struck out 323 batters (not a typo there) and held opponents to a batting average of just .184 against her.  Nevins was nominated as a semi-finalist for player of the year as well, showing her abilities are now being noticed by the nation.  Nevins came up big the entire weekend and has been at her best in crunch time for the Bulls, working out of big innings and striking out batters that could have sunk the team.  The team will need her to be at her best for the WCWS, but she is not the only strong arm the Bulls have that can take the circle.

Lindsey Richardson has been another ace the Bulls can turn to, either as a starter or a reliever for Nevins.  Despite missing some time earlier this season with a sore shoulder, Richardson finished the year with a 9-2 record and a 1.34 ERA.  She tossed 83.1 innings, allowing 56 hits, 31 walks and struck out 110 batters and played a key role this past weekend to lock up the WCWS berth.  Having a veteran like Richardson gives the Bulls another weapon they can use at any time.  Richardson has the skill set to dominate a team and with her ready and Nevins on the mound, it makes life hard for opposing hitters, but there is another arm the Bulls have that is ready as well.

Freshman Sam Greiner, who didn't even take the mound during the regionals, is 10-4 on the season with a 1.58 ERA.  She worked 97.1 innings, allowing 75 hits, 27 walks, and struck out 64 batters (more of a ground ball pitcher).  Greiner proved during the regular season she had the arm to get anyone out and can be used at any moment by Eriksen, giving the Bulls 3 star pitchers.

As the Bulls continue this amazing postseason run, it continues to be led by the pitching staff.  Nevins, Richardson, and Greiner have proven their skills and will look to continue to throw heat this postseason and keep the team winning.