May 19, 2001

Box Score

The South Florida softball team advances to the final day of the NCAA Regional Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Bulls defeated the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Alabama Crimson Tide. After Alabama knocked Oregon State out of the tournament, Michigan defeated them, putting them in today's losers bracket game.

The Bulls came out with a big first inning. Jessi Kowal allowed two singles to start the game. With one out, the Bulls elected to load the bases with an intentional walk. The gamble paid off, as Kowal was able to retire the heart of Alabama's line up, not allowing any runs.

The Bulls did all of their damage in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on only two hits, and one Alabama error. Shelly Riker led off the inning with a walk, and moved to second on a single by Nikki Phillips. With one out, Courtney Lewellen hit a line drive down the right field line, allowing Riker, but Phillips was forced to stay at third due to the ball leaving the playing field. Cindy Turek then hit a double off of the left field fence, scoring Phillips and Lewellen.

The Bulls allowed Alabama to score in the top of the fifth. After a single and two walks loaded the bases with only one out, Jamie Peterka was called on to pitch. She induced a grounder to third, Ginny Georgantas made the play at the plate, but Alabama's Kelly Kretschman broke up the double play, forcing the throw from the plate to sail into right field, allowing Alabama to score their first run in the contest.

The Crimson Tide also started a rally in the final inning of the game when. Ginger Jones led off the inning with a single to left. Kowal induced a pop up to left for the first out of the inning. An infield error allowed another runner to reach base, giving Alabama a runner at first and one at second with only one out. Kelley Askew then single up the middle, driving in the second run for Alabama. Kowal then induced a pop up in the infield that dropped, but Cindy Turek made a great defensive play, getting the force out at second. Jennifer Reach then popped up to Renee Oursler for the final out of the game, giving the Bulls the 3-2 victory.

The Bulls will play in the Championship round of the tournament tomorrow, taking on the Michigan Wolverines. The first game will begin at 2:00 PM, a loss puts the Bulls out of the tournament, and Michigan into the College World Series. If the Bulls win the first game, they will have to play the Wolverines again for the Championship and the CWS spot.