During a chat with USF softball coach Ken Eriksen shortly before the season started, it was clear that he believed the Bulls had the makings of a special team.
"We have not just good athletes, but we got smart athletes, and smart athletes can get better faster. I believe we have the ability to win every time we step on the field. So to me, the enthusiasm on the ball field is keeping me out there, and I enjoy it," he said then.
"Our recruiting has really been off the charts the last couple of years. Some of the players that have committed to us coming in next year and the year after already are continuing to get better and better each year. So yeah, man, let's go, you know, and as long as (CEO of Athletics) Rob (Higgins) is gonna have me around, I'll be here."
The Bulls were picked second behind Florida Atlantic in the preseason American Conference poll. However, they buried that prediction by going 21-6 in league (40-15 overall) to become the regular-season co-champs with Wichita State.
The Bulls are the top-seeded team in the conference by virtue of taking two-of-three from the Shockers. It was USF's first regular-season championship since 2019.
The tournament starts May 6 in Greenville, N.C. The Bulls have a bye to the semifinals and won't play until May 8. USF ranks 34th in the NCAA's RPI rating, which easily the best in the American,
Back-to-back walk-offs for @USFSoftball! Let’s keep it rolling tomorrow on Senior Day!!! Go Bulls! 🤘🏻😤📈 https://t.co/0xWN3s4ofb
— Rob Higgins (@RHiggins_USF) May 1, 2026
How far can the Bulls go in the post-season?
They have the elements to make a deep run, that's how far.
It starts with pitching, and USF has a bonafied ace in sophomore Anne Long. She was 19-5 this season with 12 complete games and a 1.72 ERA. She also had three saves. Long allowed only 119 hits in 150 innings. She was on the mound last Saturday when the Bulls closed out the regular season with a 2-1 win over North Texas.
"We're strong up the middle with some great gloves there," Eriksen said. "We've got great experience at the top of the lineup. We have a staff right now that we have multiple pitchers that can start, multiple pitchers that can come in the middle, and multiple pitchers that could kill a game at the end. I've never had that before."
Junior Alex Wilkes leads the team with nine home runs and 46 RBI. One of those homers came in the clinching game against the Mean Green.
"She shows up to play practice every single day. And it was the type of pitcher that she can hit," she said. "You know, somebody that's not gonna really throw a lot of changeups at you."
And if you're going to beat the Bulls, you better strike early. They are 31-0 when they lead after five innings.
Opposing teams can't relax when they have the lead, either. They had consecutive come-from-behind wins last weekend against North Texas, and that has been their trademark this season.
"I don't really know what to say, because I don't think I've been involved in a two-year span where we've had over 28, 30 comeback (wins)," Eriksen said.
Mix all that together and it's a recipe for a championship.
Eriksen saw it coming.
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