USF to host Opening Day softball tournament
Softball coach Ken Eriksen hasnt been sleeping too well lately.
But its OK, he said. He can sleep next Monday.
This weekend, USF hosts the USF-Wilson DeMarini Opening Day Tournament, welcoming four teams to the USF softball stadium.
The Bulls, ranked No. 10 in the ESPN preseason softball poll, will start the season against Marshall on Friday afternoon, and Eriksen said he cant wait to get started.
On Saturday the Bulls face elite competition, when theNo. 13 ranked MichiganWolverines will take the field in the first of two games for USF.
The temptation to overlook a seemingly lesser opponent in order to focus on a big game is a tough battle in sports, but the young Bulls have adopted the mentality thatevery game is a big game.
Veterans such as senior pitcher Lindsey Richardson live with this mindset every day, because of the lessons taught by Eriksen.
In my three years here, Ive learned to treat every team the same way, Richardson said. It doesnt matter what their ranking is.
Eriksens emphasis on thepresent and not looking past anopponent is engrained in hisplayers minds, she said.
As he teaches his players to play in the moment, Eriksen also likes to coach in the moment.
The 16-year coach said heanticipates more substitutions than usual to begin the season, and has not decided which pitcher will start against Michigan.
I dont think that you stay with a set lineup. I like the options of being a transistor type of coach, Eriksen said. Our depth allows us to do that, and our playersacceptance of creativity allows us to be productive.
The coach said he maysubstitute a pinch-hitter in themiddle of an at-bat. He may use three or four pitchers in one game, solely based on the opponents lineup.
Even National Player of the Year Watch List nominee Sara Nevins buys into the strategy.
I like it, she said. Wewelcome it. If someone is in trouble and needs to be taken out, we can rely on the next person to come in and take control.
The junior, who has pitched over 400 innings in two seasons, also said getting pulled out of a game isnt something that hurts her mentality, because she knows her replacement will get the job done.
After facing Michigan, the Bulls will play Samford on Saturdayevening and Florida AtlanticUniversity on Sunday.
More Stories
COLUMN: Cherish the press box moments
I still remember standing at mid-field as USF Football celebrated its Boca Raton Bowl win over Syracuse. Picture this scene: The crowd rushes to the field to surround the team and catch a glimpse of the Boca Raton Bowl trophy. “Go Bulls” echoed throughout the stadium, and green and gold confetti was everywhere. I soaked […]
Here’s how these undrafted USF football players’ careers turned out
Ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft, many players wait in anticipation to hear their names called in the first round. For some, it’s an instant ticket to stardom. But being selected on the first day of the draft isn’t the only route to a successful career. Fifteen former undrafted NFL players are enshrined in the NFL […]
Column: USF men’s basketball, thanks for the fun season
This is a personal column about assistant sports editor Noah Vinsky’s first-hand experience covering men’s basketball. Sports have always run in my blood. Growing up, ESPN was nearly on a constant loop on my living room television. I came to USF knowing I wanted to be a writer. The Oracle seemed like a great place […]
USF’s Mindy McCord builds culture of “family and love” into lacrosse
At 23 years old, a career in coaching was not what Mindy McCord had envisioned. After a stint playing for one of the top field hockey teams in Australia following a successful college playing career, she returned to America. McCord was on track to earn a master’s degree in counseling at Virginia Tech while coaching […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]