TAMPA, Fla. – For the second time in program history, the Fairfield University softball defeated nationally-ranked University of South Florida, posting a 4-0 decision over the 25^th-ranked Bulls as part of the USF Tournament. The Stags also defeated the Bulls during the 2012 campaign, edging the 24^th-ranked team by a 2-1 count.

Today, the Stags accomplished the task with timely hitting and impressive defense, a combination that kept South Florida from crossing home plate for the second time this season. Sophomore Allie Bridgman was masterful in the pitching circle, scattering five hits and fanning one hitter over her seven innings of work. She also picked up an RBI single to complete her day.

Bridgman pitched around base runners in all but the fourth inning, retiring all three hitters that inning after Fairfield took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the frame. Haley Updegraff brought home the first run for the Stags with a single that brought home Megan Forbes. Forbes nearly had an RBI single herself but a perfect throw cut down a Fairfield base runner that kept the game scoreless. Upedgraff, who took second on the throw home, scampered home when Bridgman lined a base hit to right center field.

After Bridgman put the Bulls down in order, the Stags rallied for two runs in the top of the fifth with Mikayla Rubin providing the key hit, a two-run single that chased pinch runner Ava Watson and Madison Robicheau. South Florida tried to rally in the bottom of the inning, placing a pair of runners in scoring position before Lauryn Rhinehart handled a line drive to first base which ended the inning.

The Bulls opened the sixth inning with a pair of base runners reaching based but the rallied stalled after Drew Westford threw out the lead runner at third base as she tried to advance on an off-target pitch. The next batter grounded out to end the inning with the shutout still intact.

South Florida managed a two-out single in the seventh inning before third baseman Morgan Sylvestre squeezed an infield pop up for the game's final out.
Earlier in the day, the Stags dropped a 2-1 decision to Saint Joseph's University. The Hawks scored the game's first run when they drew a pair of walks to start the inning. A misplayed sacrifice bunt accounted for the run scoring.

Fairfield tied the game in the bottom of the third inning, a rally which began when Charli Warren reached on an infield miscue that also allowed her to advance to second base. Rubin stroked a single to put the runner on third base while Kaitlin Hoffman's single earned the RBI.

Saint Joseph's plated the deciding run in the top of the sixth inning with a lead off walk, a wild pitch, and run-scoring double with one out. Warren, Rubin, Bridgman, Forbes, and Evie Wright each posted a hit in the game, all of which were singles.

Fairfield completes its three-day run at the South Florida Tournament on Sunday morning when it takes on Saint Joseph's in a rematch from today. The first pitch is slated for 9 am.