The following release information was issued by USF and information and photo courtesy USF…
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida head softball coach, Ken Eriksen, has announced the 2024 softball schedule. The schedule includes 38 games inside the USF Softball stadium and 18 away contests.
“Once again we have put together a great schedule for the fans and to challenge our program daily”, said Eriksen.” Our crowds have been fabulous every year and continue to move to having the best per-game turnstile numbers in the country. Combine that great competition with such a great ballpark, it’s like going to Wrigley Field to watch a game.”
The Bulls will host four non-conference tournaments this season, welcoming six teams that made it to the 2023 regionals, two of which reached the 2023 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma State and Washington.
South Florida will open the regular season with a 27-game homestand, beginning with a doubleheader on February 8 as they host Illinois State at 4 p.m. followed by Bethune-Cookman at 6:30 p.m. They also welcome Michigan, Oregon State, and Florida for the USF-Rawlings Invitational.
“Our first tournament of the year is one of, if not the most competitive, six-team tournament in the country,” said Eriksen.” With National powers Michigan, Oregon State, and Florida, you better get your tickets early. We round out the field with top-notch conference powers that challenge for NCAA berths every year in Illinois State and Bethune-Cookman. We follow that weekend with another Power 5 team in Kansas on Monday.”
After the Invitational, the Bulls will continue their homestand highlighted by games against Washington (Feb. 22), Oklahoma State (Feb. 22), and Louisville (March 1).
“It doesn’t stop after that either until we get to conference play,” said Eriksen. “NCAA regional teams dot the schedule and World Series participants Washington and Oklahoma State play in USF Softball Stadium. Our conference got stronger this year also with the addition of high RPI teams.”
South Florida will start their 2024 American Conference slate with Charlotte from March 8-10 before they return to nonconference play against Florida Gulf Coast (March 11) and Colgate (March 13). They continue AAC play with two road series at Tulsa from March 15-17 and UAB from March 22-24.
Following UAB, the Bulls will welcome North Texas from March 28-30 and hit the road to face Memphis from April 5-7. They then travel up the road to Gainesville to close out their non-conference schedule against the Florida Gators on April 10.
South Florida hosts Wichita State from April 12-14 before heading to ECU from April 19-21.
The Bulls wrap up their home schedule with a series vs. FAU from April 26-28. They will close out the regular season in San Antonio against UTSA from May 3-5.
Wichita State will host the 2024 American Conference Tournament inside Wilkins Stadium from May 8-11.
South Florida is coming off a 32-24 season in 2023 that saw them finish third in the AAC. They return 16 players from last season’s roster including veterans Marissa Trivelpiece, Jordyn Kadlub as well as 2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year Kathy Garcia-Soto. The Bulls welcome 13 newcomers, eight freshmen, and five transfers.
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