American Conference / Andy Mead

Long’s Complete-Game Shutout Powers South Florida To American Softball Championship Final

05.08.26

GREENVILLE, NC – Anne Long tossed a complete-game shutout as top-seeded South Florida defeated Florida Atlantic 3-0 in the semifinals of the American Softball Championship at Joyner Family Softball Stadium on Friday afternoon.
 
The Bulls (41-15) advance to the championship game, where they await the winner of No. 2 Wichita State and No. 3 East Carolina on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN2.
 
Pitchers were dealing through the first three innings, allowing just two combined hits. In the bottom of the fourth, a leadoff triple by Alexa Galligani gave South Florida a chance to get on the board. A ground ball to shortstop with a throwing error by the Owl shortstop allowed Galligani to score and put the Bulls on top.
 
South Florida added another run in the fifth inning when Alex Wilkes dropped a blooper into right field to score Olivia Elliott from second base.
 
The Bulls added an insurance run in the sixth inning as the first four batters reached base, capped by a Toryn Fulton RBI single through the left side to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
Long (20-5) earned the win for the Bulls, striking out six batters while allowing just three hits over seven shutout innings. Autumn Courtney (17-11) tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits in the loss.
 
2026 AMERICAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Joyner Family Softball Stadium | Greenville, North Carolina
 
Wednesday, May 6 | First and Second Round
Game 1: No. 8 Tulsa 2, No. 9 UAB 1 | Box Score

Game 2: No. 7 UTSA 8, No. 10 Memphis 6 | Box Score

Game 3: No. 5 Charlotte 2, No. 8 Tulsa 0 | Box Score

Game 4: No. 6 North Texas 7, No. 7 UTSA 6 | Box Score


Thursday, May 7 | Quarterfinals
Game 5:
No. 4 Florida Atlantic 5, No. 5 Charlotte 4 | Box Score

Game 6: No. 3 East Carolina 4, No. 6 North Texas 2 | Box Score


Friday, May 8 | Semifinals
Game 7:
No. 1 South Florida 3, No. 4 Florida Atlantic 0 | Box Score

Game 8: No. 2 Wichita State vs No. 3 East Carolina | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats


Saturday, May 9 | Championship
Game 9:
No. 1 South Florida vs Game 8 Winner | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
Live Stats