South Florida softball wrapped up the USF-Rawlings Invitational with a 8-0 loss to No. 2 Florida on Sunday, struggling to recover after a four-run first inning.

The Bulls (3-2) entered the game undefeated against unranked teams but were unable to keep pace with the Gators (6-0), who capitalized on USF’s defensive mistakes early. 

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A fielding error at second base in the first allowed two runs to score, and Florida followed up with back-to-back RBI hits to take a commanding lead before USF even had a chance to bat.

USF head coach Ken Eriksen acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles, saying they played “on our heels” instead of attacking the game.

“So, there were some plays I thought we could have made that could have limited the damage early on,” Eriksen said. “And then a good team took advantage of those opportunities.”

Offensively, the Bulls struggled to string together hits against Florida’s ace Keagan Rothrock, who recorded three strikeouts through the first three innings.

USF’s best scoring opportunity came in the second when freshman Josie Foreman reached base with an infield single.

Pinch-runner Grace Chin stole second, putting the Bulls in scoring position for the first time, but Rothrock shut the door with a pair of strikeouts.

The Gators added another run in the second when sophomore Taylor Shumaker launched a solo home run to left field. 

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Bulls pitcher Hannah Marien, who entered the game in the first inning, settled in and held Florida scoreless in the third.

In the bottom of the third, USF looked to generate momentum after a two-out fielding error by Florida allowed Alexa Galligani to reach base. 

Alex Wilkes followed with an infield single, but the Bulls couldn’t capitalize, stranding two.

With three innings completed, USF remained scoreless while Florida maintained control on both sides of the ball. 

Eriksen was blunt about the Bulls’ offensive struggles, saying the team “didn’t break through at all against Florida’s pitcher.”

Florida’s pitcher Rothrock earned the win pitching five scoreless innings and allowing just two hits all game.

The Bulls, on the other hand, saw their pitchers struggle.

The team went through three pitchers in the game, with Eriksen pointing to the need for better execution on the mound.

“Once again, you know you can’t make mistakes,” he said. “And when you make mistakes over the plate, the team is going to hit them.”

The Bulls will face Florida Gulf Coast in a double header starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Bulls Unlimited Radio.