USF softball opened its first conference series this season with a 7-6 loss versus UAB on Friday. 

Graduate catcher Josie Foreman said the team had to question itself after the defeat.

“What can we do to have fun?,” Foreman said. “What can we do to come out and keep putting runs on the board and make it hard for them to fight back?”

The Bulls (19-8, 2-1 AAC) answered those questions on Sunday, clinching the conference series with a 6-0 shutout win .

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South Florida started the game off hot with three runs in the first inning. Foreman recorded a double in her first attempt at bat, setting up junior outfielder Alexa Galligani to score first for the Bulls. 

Graduate infielder Alanah Rivera then recorded a double of her own, bringing Foreman and sophomore utility player Alex Wilkes home. 

USF softball assistant coach Karla Claudio Rivera said coming out strong was crucial for the team to win.

“It’s always important for us to set the tone,” Claudio said. “Anytime we can do that, we’re gonna play a little bit more comfortably.” 

After the quick start, the Bulls went scoreless for four innings straight. However, South Florida kept the Blazers off the scoreboard as well, in part to strong play by junior pitcher Payton Dixon.

Dixon allowed just 3 hits, in addition to recording 3 strikeouts for the game. She also was the only Bulls pitcher to take the mound. 

Dixon said she credited her teammates for helping her through fatigue.

“I was definitely tired,” Dixon said. “But having my team push me keeps me going forward, and it keeps your energy up.”

At the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bulls added 3 more scores to its total.

With two players on base, Wilkes flew out to centerfield, bringing junior outfielder Olivia Elliot and junior infielder Kathy Garcia-Soto to home plate. Foreman took the bat next, earning a home run for USF.

Foreman leads the Bulls with 6 home runs this season, and has earned at least one in each of her last three games. She said there are three things she’s worked on in practice to help with her home run hitting.

“Timing is the biggest thing,” Foreman said. “Making sure that my weight is in the right spot, and making sure that I get on top of the ball.”

Up next for the Bulls is a matchup versus Bryant at home. Rivera said the key for this team going forward is simple: have fun.

“At times we feel disappointed in ourselves and frustrated because things aren’t going the way we want them to go, but we just got to stay together,” Claudio said.  “We got to go back to having fun after those not very good moments.”

USF will be in action at home at 4:30 p.m. versus Bryant on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.