TAMPA, Fla. – Charlotte (14-14) opened up the second American Conference series of the season down in Tampa against USF (22-8) by dropping both games in an afternoon doubleheader on Friday (March 13).
GAME ONE
South Florida started strong at the plate, scoring two runs in the first on an RBI double from Alex Wilkes to quickly put the Bulls up 2-0.
Charlotte cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth inning when Teagan Ritchie had a leadoff triple to right field, and shortly came around on a sac fly from Jenna Lord to make it 2-1.
The Bulls scored again in the bottom of the fifth on a sac fly from Alexa Galligani that scored Olivia Elliot, who ended up on third due to an error from the Niners, making it 3-1. South Florida would end up holding onto that lead and winning, 3-1.
Both teams used one pitcher, with Charlotte throwing Taylor Jones, who pitched 6.0 innings and only allowed three hits, while South Florida threw Carley Ernst, who pitched all seven innings and only allowed one hit.
GAME TWO
Charlotte started game two with a bang, quickly going up 2-0 on a two-run homer from Jenna Lord after Teagan Ritchie singled with one out.
The Bulls answered back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring one when Olivia Elliot came around on an RBI hit from Alex Wilkes to make the score 2-1.
The Niners went scoreless for the rest of the game, while South Florida managed to score five runs in the bottom of the third after loading the bases with no outs. In the inning, USF scored on two singles, one walk, and a passed ball.
Aubrey Yarnall pitched the majority of the game for Charlotte, throwing 3.2 while only allowing three hits and no walks. Anne Long pitched all seven for USF and struck out three.
UP NEXT
Charlotte will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow (March 14) at noon for the third and final match-up of the series.
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