USF 2, Illinois State 1
Single runs in both the first and second innings proved to be the difference as USF opened 2019 with a 2-1 victory at home over Illinois State. AnaMarie Bruni was 2-for-3 in the win with three stolen bases, and scored the first run of the season on Lindsey Devitt’s RBI groundout in the bottom of the first inning. After Illinois State briefly tied the game with a run in the top of the second, Bethaney Kean’s solo homer in the bottom of the second would give the Bulls the lead they would not give up. Nicole Doyle earned the win in the circle, allowing two hits and the one run in 3 2/3 innings of work while striking out three batters. USF continues its opening weekend on Friday night, when the Bulls host No. 6 Arizona.
Ole Miss 3, UCF 0
In their 2019 season opener, UCF fell to Ole Miss 3-0 on Thursday night. Tamesha Glover led the way offensively for the Knights, going 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk. Alea White took the loss in the circle after tossing complete game giving up three runs on six hits and four strikeouts. Defensively, catcher Cassady Brewer caught a runner stealing for the 25th time of her career. The Knights are back in action on Friday night when they will take on No. 21 Minnesota.
LSU 19, Tulsa 1
Morgan Neal and Haley Meinen each recorded a hit as Tulsa opened the season with a 19-1 loss at LSU on Thursday night. Alexis Perry drove in Julia Hollingsworth in the top of the first inning for the only Golden Hurricane run in the loss. Tulsa continues its opening weekend of action with pair of games on Friday, taking on Bucknell in the afternoon before a second matchup with LSU tomorrow night.