The 2015 American softball season kicked off last night with Houston and NR/RV USF opening things up in tournament play. Houston took on FIU in the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala., while USF bested Houston in the USF Softball Classic in Tampa.

Two three-run homers lifted the Bulls past Hampton, 7-5, in the opening game of the classic. Catcher Lee Ann Spivey hit a home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at three all. Juli Weber, the reigning American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, had a three-run hit in the second inning and gave USF the lead the rest of the way.  

Houston fell 8-1 to the Panthers after opening up the game with a 1-0 lead. Selena Hernandez scored off a walk followed by a Katie St. Pierre single in the first inning. In the second inning, FIU posted five runs and the Cougars were never able to come back, leaving 10 players on base and four in position to score.

St. Pierre led Houston with three hits and a walk.  

Houston and USF both return to the field on Friday. Houston will take on Southern Miss at 4 p.m. ET before facing No. 3/4 Alabama at 7 p.m. ET. USF will play one game a single game against Illinois State at 6:30 p.m. ET.