A day after struggling at the plate, USF softball resuscitated its win streak in Saturday’s doubleheader.

Fueled by a five-run second inning, the Bulls rolled past Louisville 6-1 in the opener before following up with an 8-3 victory over Kent State. 

With the sweep, USF improved to 12-4 and gained momentum heading into the heart of the season.

“We’re playing a really tough schedule, and we’re seeing really good teams,” assistant coach Karla Claudio Rivera said. “But today, we stuck to the plan, trusted it, and it worked.”

Related: USF softball drops two in Friday doubleheader

USF brings the boom

USF wasted no time against the Cardinals, exploding for five runs in the second inning to take control early. 

Graduate Josie Foreman set the tone with a leadoff homer, her first of the year. Junior leadoff hitter Olivia Elliot followed with a homerun blast of her own.

“Olivia’s job is to set the tone for us, and she’s been doing that since she got here,” Claudio Rivera said. “Josie has been working hard, making adjustments, and today she showed it.”

South Florida’s pitchers, Anne Long and Payton Dixon kept Louisville off balance, allowing just one run while effectively following the team’s pitching strategy.

“She pitched exactly how we asked her to,” Claudio Rivera said about Long. “She’s still getting comfortable attacking hitters, but today she trusted it, and it worked.”

‘Kent’ stop the Bulls 

  USF carried its momentum into the nightcap, using another big inning to pull away from Kent State.

Down 3-0 in the fifth, the Bulls put up six runs, highlighted by clutch hits from Foreman and DaNia Brooks to seize an 8-3 win.

Claudio Rivera had previewed the team’s mindset heading into the second game, emphasizing the need to sustain their energy.

“We’re not planning on backing down,” she said. “Every game for us is postseason. That’s what we’re working for.”

Related: USF softball struggles early, fall to No. 2 Florida

Full steam ahead

After a strong Saturday, USF looks to keep its offense clicking and pitchers consistent.

Claudio Rivera stressed a simple approach – letting the game come to the players and trusting their preparation.

“We don’t have to do too much,” she said. “Just see the ball, get the barrel to it, and let them provide the power.”

With their sights set on postseason play, the Bulls are embracing the challenges ahead, knowing each game is another opportunity to grow.

“That’s why our schedule is built the way it is,” Claudio Rivera said. “We’re preparing to play our best when it matters most.”