Bulls Eye Oklahoma City: USF Softball Primed for a Historic 2026 Run

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The USF Bulls softball team officially launched its 2026 campaign yesterday, February 5th, at the annual USF-Rawlings Invitational. Hosting a high-caliber field that includes Bethune-Cookman, Illinois State, Kansas, Michigan, and No. 6 Florida, the Bulls entered the season with the weight of lofty expectations following a dominant 44-16-1 record and an AAC Tournament title in 2025.

Season Opener: Illinois State 5, USF 1

While the Bulls entered the tournament with championship aspirations, their season opener on Thursday night proved to be a defensive grind. Despite an early lead provided by a Karhys Pierce RBI single in the first inning—scoring Alex Wilkes—the Bulls struggled to keep the Redbirds’ bats quiet.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Illinois State	0	0	3	0	2	0	0	5	6	1
USF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	0

Belle Sardja (17-4 in 2025) earned the start in the circle, striking out five over three innings before allowing three runs. Carley Ernst, a notable transfer from Hofstra, made her Bulls debut in relief, striking out two over two frames.

The Roadmap to OKC

Head coach Ken Eriksen, now entering his 29th season (holding 1,171 career wins), remains unwavering in his goal: reaching the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City. Though picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference behind the FAU Owls, the Bulls are using the “underdog” tag as bulletin-board material.

A Deep Bullpen

Eriksen’s confidence stems from a pitching staff that is as deep as it is experienced:

Belle Sardja: The 5th-year veteran anchor.
Anne Long & Hannah Marien: Returning sophomores who combined for crucial wins last season.
The Newcomers: Freshman Amelia Jacob and Hofstra transfer Carley Ernst provide the variety needed for a long postseason run.

High-Octane Offense

To complement the arms, USF boasts a potent lineup:

Alex Wilkes (.337 AVG, 11 HR): The shortstop transition has allowed for a dynamic middle infield.
Alexa Galligani (.357 AVG): The defensive anchor in center field.
Olivia Elliott (.353 AVG): A dual-threat weapon with 12 stolen bases last season.
Toryn Fulton: A highly-touted freshman outfielder whom Eriksen believes could be a breakout star this spring.

The General’s Absence

The Bulls will be without starting catcher Camille Ortiz-Martinez this season, as she takes a hiatus to train with the Puerto Rico National Team for the World Championships. In her place, UCF transfer Kiley Strott has taken over the catching duties, providing a veteran presence behind the plate that Eriksen says makes his job “very easy.”

Upcoming Tournament Schedule

The Bulls have a chance to recalibrate with several high-profile matchups remaining in the Invitational quickly:

Friday, Feb 6: vs. Michigan (4:35 PM)
Saturday, Feb 7: vs. Kansas (2:00 PM) & Bethune-Cookman (7:00 PM)
Sunday, Feb 8: vs. #6 Florida (2:35 PM)

Are you excited about the 2026 USF Bulls softball season? Leave a comment below.

For all your NCAA softball news log on to ngscsports.com.

About Post Author

Bradley Walker

Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball. Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour. In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights. He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.

bradleywalker3083@gmail.com

http://ngscsports.com

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Author Profile

Bradley Walker: Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.

Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.

In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.

He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.