South Florida Bulls
Overall Rank: #10
Conference Rank: #1 Big East
South Florida Team Page
South Florida earned its first trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012 after compiling a 50-14 record, including a 17-5 record in winning the Big East and is looking to return to Oklahoma City. The Bulls finished 10th in the final College Sports Madness Top 25 rankings and have a veteran team returning in 2013. Head Coach Ken Eriksen has fashioned a record of 694-367-1 in 16 years and is the winningest softball coach in school history. South Florida has an overall softball record of 1,081 wins and 588 losses for a winning percentage of .648. The Bulls open their season February 8 at home against Marshall in the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament.
2012: 50-14, 17-5
2012 Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Coach: Ken Eriksen
Field Players:
South Florida has a veteran team returning highlighted by an experienced pitching staff with six sophomores, nine juniors, four seniors and five freshmen. Among the incoming freshmen is ESPN All-American Erica Nunn. The Apex, North Carolina native will be in the lineup, probably in the outfield, because she can hit as well as pitch. Lost through graduation were three of the team’s top four hitters, Kourtney Salvarola (.324), Janine Richardson (.294) and Gina Kafalas (.282). These three stole 40 of 50 bases in 2012 with Kafalas 15 for 20. Third leading hitter a year ago, Kenshyra Jackson (.288) probably will bat clean-up with Stephanie Medina third and frosh Nunn fifth. The team has good depth in the outfield and should improve on offense. D’Anna Devine figures to replace graduated Janine Richardson (.294) in the outfield after starting 22 of 33 games in 2012 playing second base and the corner outfield positions. Ashli Goff didn’t make any errors in 63 games in 2012 and also returns along with her twin sister, Courtney, who stole seven of eight bases and scored 19 runs. Ashli has stolen 33 of 40 base attempts in her first two years.
Pitchers:
The 2013 pitching staff will again be led by Sara Nevins who was 31-8 with 336 strikeouts in 256 innings pitched and an impressive 1.12 ERA. Nevins has compiled a 46-16 record in two seasons and figures to end up as the school’s all-time wins leader before her career is finished. She currently stands 10th in wins and innings pitched and already is fourth in career strikeouts. Nevins ranked third in the nation in ERA (1.12) and seventh in strikeouts nationally. The Bulls ranked second in team ERA in 2012 (1.23) behind Oklahoma. Also returning are senior Lindsey Richardson (9-2,132. ERA) and sophomore Samantha Greiner (10-4, 1.58 ERA).Freshman Erica Nunn will also get a chance to pitch when she’s not playing the outfield.
Who to Watch:
Nevins has been the workhorse of this team since she walked on campus and is again expected to lead the team on the mound in 2013. She ranked 19th in NCAA Division One in wins, third in ERA (1.12), 13th in strikeouts and 11th in shutouts (12).
Final Projection:
The Bulls figure to be better offensively this year and still have an experienced pitching staff with good depth. Frosh Nunn figures to bat fifth in the lineup and add some power to the lineup. The Bulls had to rely on pitching and defense last year with a team batting average of only .258, ranking 165th in Division 1. However, opposing teams only batted .188 against the Bulls last season.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Stephanie Medina, 1B, 174
Hits: Stephanie Medina, 1B, 48
Home Runs: Stephanie Medina, 1B, 7
RBIs: Kenshyra Jackson, OF, 37
Runs: Ashli Goff, OF, 30
Stolen Bases: Ashli Goff, OF, 12
Wins: Sara Nevins, P, 31
Innings Pitched: Sara Nevins, P, 256.0
Strikeouts: Sara Nevins, P, 336
Saves: Sara Nevins, P, 4
Madness 2013 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#43 Erica Nunn
See All Softball Top 44 Team Previews
