04/23/2026

TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team (16-29) closed its 2026 nonconference slate on Wednesday evening, falling 9-0 in a five-inning, run-rule loss to the University of South Florida (34-15) at the USF Softball Stadium.

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, the Bulls broke the game open with a four-run third. Toryn Fulton delivered the big blow with a two-run double to score Alex Wilkes and Karhys Pierce. Dania Brooks followed suit with a double of her own to drive home Fulton, before Kiley Strott capped the inning by successfully stealing home.

The Bulls added a final insurance run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Ava Galligani, scoring Alex Wilkes for the second time in the contest. The 9-0 lead held through the top of the fifth, as USF starter Carley Ernst retired the Eagles in order to secure the run-rule victory.

Olivia Black provided the lone offensive spark for FGCU in the third inning. Black reached on a single to second base and quickly moved into scoring position by advancing to second on a wild pitch. Black remains at the forefront of the record books. With 97 career stolen bases, she is just one away from breaking the FGCU NCAA Division I career record.

Carley Ernst (5-4) earned the win for the Bulls, tossing a complete game. Ernst surrendered just one hit while striking out one over five innings. Julia Bacoulis (7-13) took the loss for the Eagles, struggling to find her rhythm early. Bacoulis was tagged for six runs on five hits in two innings of work before the Eagles turned to the bullpen.

FGCU returns home to the FGCU Softball Complex for a crucial three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series against Queens University of Charlotte. The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 25, starting at 4 p.m. With the Eagles currently fighting for positioning in the ASUN standings and Black sitting just one stolen base away from a Division I program record, the weekend carries significant weight. The series will conclude Sunday with “Senior Day” at 1 p.m.