Inga Orekhova: The Rifle

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The Bulls went 15 games into the season before one of the most talented recruits in recent history, Inga Orekhova, could step on the court for Coach Fernandez. The Rifle, as her teammates and coaches have nicknamed her due to her quick release, has been firing away in just the 3 games played since the suspension.

Top 10 USF Softball Players: Number 6

Stephanie Medina - 5-7 - Sophomore - Bats: Left - Throws: Left - 1st base

Coming in at number 6 on the top 10 countdown is sophomore 1st baseman Stephanie Medina. The power swinging lefty burst onto the scene last year for the Bulls, adding tremendous power to the heart of the batting order.

Medina hit .336 last year, launching 8 home runs and drove in 50 runs. She walked 24 times and struck out 21 times, showing great discipline at the plate despite being a power slugger. As she enters her sophomore season, the Bulls will need her to anchor the batting order once more and she is poised for even greater numbers.

USF 2012 Baseball: Luis Llerena

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Luis Llerena - 5-10 170-pounds - Senior - Infielder

Llerena returns as a key member of the USF infield and a key part of the offense.  He batted .270 last season, launching 6 home runs and driving in 31 runs.  He had an OBP of .333 on the year, going 31 for 115 in his at-bats, showing power and ability to anchor the offense. 

In 2010, Llerena hit .349 in limited action for Prado, hitting one home run and driving in 15 runs, showing his skill level.  He had 14 walks and 22 strike outs, ending the year with a .431 OBP, something he needs to get back to this season to get on base and move runners along.  Llerena is a key member of this team in 2012 for Prado and the pressure is on for him to come up big.

Top 10 USF Softball Players: Number 7

Now we are at the 7th most important player for the 2012 softball season. Last time, Courtney Goff made the list, but now we head back towards the infield.

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Kourtney Salvarola - 5-5 - Short Stop - Sophomore - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Salvarola became a big power bat in the middle of the Bulls batting order (incredible talent with her at the plate). She hit .290 over the season including launching 6 home runs and driving in 43 runs (will only get better this season).

Salvarola drew 17 walks during the season and struck out 29 times, showing discipline at the plate despite being a power swinger. She was also 6 of 7 in steals, showing her speed and athletic ability. She is poised for a huge season and anchors the hot corner at short for the Bulls infield (having the experience she does, she is a huge member of the team for Coach Eriksen).

USF WBB Wins Big on the Road Over Seton Hall

Orekhova had 20-points as the Bulls notch their second Big East win of the season (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

The USF ladies got a big win on the road against Seton Hall today, 68 to 49. The Bulls are now 10-8 (2-2) after dominating the entire game. The USF offense was on fire, shooting 42% from the floor, including 40% from 3-point range. The defense was also in lockdown mode, holding the Pirates to just 27% shooting, including 7.7% from 3-point range (wow).

USF 2012 Baseball: Nick Gonzalez

Nick Gonzalez - 6-4 220-pounds - LHP

The former Leto High School star returns for his sophomore season and will look to add to the starting rotation for Prado, although he could be a key member of the bullpen.

Gonzalez pitched 39 innings last season, earning a record of 2-3 as he joined the rotation with Barbosa out. He allowed 42 hits, including 30 walks and struck out 30 batters, showing some control issues, but it was his freshman season. He allowed 6 home runs during the season, allowing batters to hit .290 against him and finished the year with a 7.15 ERA. He will have to find his command and put hitters away if he wants to be a member of the rotation in 2012.

Top 10 USF Softball Players: Number 8

Time to find out who the number 8th most important player is for the 2012 USF softball team and we will move to the outfield and to sophomore Courtney Goff.

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Courtney Goff - 5-3 -Sophomore - Outfield - Bats: Left - Throws - Right

Goff enters her sophomore season after a stellar freshman campaign, playing part time in the outfield. The former Sickle High School star hit .279 for the season, driving in two runs.

She had one walk to 14 strikeouts, a number she will have to improve on this season. She also had a .302 OBP and stole 8 bases on 9 attempts, showing her speed on the base pads. Goff will have a chance to do more this season and could come up big for coach Eriksen this season.

USF WBB Takes on Seton Hall

The USF ladies 9-8 (1-2) are back on the road as they take on the Seton Hall Pirates. Seton Hall is struggling a bit, they are just 7-11 (0-4) entering the game, but this is a game the Bulls can't drop. The Pirates are averaging 57.4 points per game, so the ladies will be in for another battle as both teams try to get a huge win in the conference (game starts at 4PM).

USF MBB Upsets Seton Hall

The Bulls, down 42 to 52 at one point late in the second half, came all the way back to upset 24th ranked Seton Hall 56 to 55, improving the USF record to 10-8 (3-2) on the season. Fitzpatrick hit a big three to put USF ahead, but the Pirates got to the line to shoot one-and-one. Jordan Theodore, the Pirates best free throw shooter, missed the first shot as USF grabbed the rebound and the big upset win.

USF MBB Returns Home to Host Seton Hall

The USF men return home after a 49 to 60 loss to Notre Dame on Tuesday night, sending them to a 9-8 (2-2) record. The Bulls won't catch a break as the 24th ranked Seton Hall Pirates come to town with their 15-2 (4-1) record (game starts at 7PM at the Tampa Bay Times Forum).

The Pirates have turned the ship around (insert all jokes here) after just a 13-18 campaign last year. They are ranked and averaging 73.2 points per game. The Bulls will have to control the pace and find a way to get the big upset here.