Bulls host Memphis for final home series
Though USF softball has 33 wins, they sit in fourth in the AAC with a 4-6 conference record. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
Fresh off a two-day rest, which USF coach Ken Eriksen said should help get rid of the team’s “bad mojo,” USF softball will be back in action Saturday as it takes on Memphis in its final home series of the season.
USF has dominated in non-conference games, going 29-9, but has won just four of its first 10 AAC games, including dropping two of three to East Carolina (13-35, 5-10). Though it has the second-most overall wins in the conference, USF sits fourth in the AAC behind UCF, Tulsa and Houston.
With postseason play just three weeks away, the Bulls (33-15, 4-6) are running out of time to make their case for a regional game, which would mean a conference title would be almost the only way into the tournament.
The Bulls continue their homestand against Memphis beginning Saturday at 1 p.m. The Tigers are on the decline and have lost 14 of their last 16 games, including being swept by both UCF and Central Arkansas.
USF needs a solid outing not only this weekend, but also next weekend against No. 21 UCF.
The Bulls’ last chance will be the AAC tournament, which runs May 7-9 at the UCF Softball Complex in Orlando.
Mercurius on the way out
After one season with USF, it was announced Wednesday freshman guard Dinero Mercurius is transferring at the end of the spring semester.
The Bronx native averaged 13.3 minutes per game with just 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds last season.
This is the Bulls’ third transfer since the season ended, with senior Anthony Collins and redshirt freshman Dre Clayton transferring last month.
Harlan appointed to NCAA committee
The NCAA Division I Council appointed first-year athletic director Mark Harlan to the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee on Wednesday.
Harlan will serve on one of seven newly reconstituted committees that “are tasked with addressing challenges and enhancing opportunities for the 175,000 student-athletes participating at the Division I level,” according to a USF press release.
Harlan will be one of 11 athletic directors serving on the 19-member committee.
The committee oversees all sports — except football and men’s and women’s basketball — as well as the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee.
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