The USF softball team erupted in glee when the Bulls learned Sunday they’ll be heading to Tallahassee for a first-round NCAA tournament matchup against Auburn.
The Bulls, 43-14-1, are the No. 3 seed in the four-team Tallahassee grouping. Auburn made the tournament with an at-large bid after losing to Alabama in the first round of the SEC tournament.
USF will play the Tigers at noon on Friday.
“It’s exciting that our fans get to travel up (in) a car instead of having to make cross country trips because we've been out to UCLA before. Also, that's a long trip, but for us, it also gives us the opportunity to do another extra day of practice at home, and these guys, they deserve to rest today, and we'll give half a day tomorrow before we get back to work,” USF coach Ken Eriksen said.
“But we're excited, obviously, and something we've expected, you know, since August 25 and right now, it's been very good place. Very good place.”
The Tigers were the No. 15 seed in the conference tournament after finishing the regular season 6-18 in the SEC. Despite the poor conference record, Auburn ranked 16th nationally in RPI.
Robert Morris is the 4th-seeded team in this pod and will play host Florida State.The Bulls earned their way into the field by overcoming a four-run deficit to beat North Texas 5-4 to win the American Athletic Conference tournament.
🥳🥳🥳#HornsUp 🤘 x #RoadToTheWCWS pic.twitter.com/VivLfzxgIw
— USF Softball (@USFSoftball) May 11, 2025
It was USF’s first AAC title after three championship game losses. And to hear Eriksen tell it, the USF Softball Stadium home crowd had a big victory assist.
The Bulls had pulled within 4-3 with the tying run on second. Camille Ortiz-Martinez had a 3-2 count at the plate when the umpires suspended the game because of lightning.
Eriksen sat alone in the dugout during the one-hour and 27-minute delay while his players retreated to their clubhouse.
“I took a nap for 30 or 40 minutes,” Eriksen said. “But I want to tell you something. When they walked out of the way and the crowd got them going, and then I met them out there, and I'm like, I'm getting goosebumps right now, there's magic.
“I don't know if it's the glitter, the pixie dust, or whatever, or the thunder and lightning electric, but there was some magic going on.”
Ortiz-Martinez walked when the game resumed, and Karhys Pierce followed with a double that sent home the tying run. Ortiz-Martinez scored on a sacrifice fly by Da’Nia Brooks to give the Bulls the lead with three outs to go.
There was still a bit of drama, however.
The Mean Green had the tying run at second with two out in the top of the seventh. Cleanup hitter Madison Conley sent a hard line drive that struck pitcher Belle Sardja’s chest.
She was momentarily stunned but recovered in time to throw to first to end the game and punch USF’s ticket to the NCAA tournament.
“I was surprised that it hit me. I think I was at first confused. I was like, wait, so that ball just hit me. And then I was like, I have no time for that. Find the ball and throw that last out of the game, and I see it right in front of me. Thank goodness. I'm glad I just didn't bounce off behind me,” Sardja said with a laugh.
“It didn't hurt when I got hit. It's just kind of like ow. And then as soon as we were done and I started jumping, I was like, that kind of stings. And now it's kind of stinging, but it didn't even leave a bruise. That's kind of messed up. At least leave a bruise.”
Sardja was the winning pitcher in relief for the Bulls’ two tournament wins. She was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Now, the Bulls focus on the next step in the journey. This will be their 18th appearance in the NCAA tournament, and all but one have been with Eriksen as the coach.
USF has had only two head coaches since the Bulls started play in 1985. Eriksen took over in 1996 after original coach Hildred Deese retired.
Eriksen said this team’s stated goal since late August was to win the AAC championship. The Bulls weren’t bashful about saying that out loud.
“These kids kept it steady. And I keep saying that baseball and softball are the fairest sports,” he said.
“Everybody gets 21 outs in softball. Everyone gets 27 outs in baseball. What you do with it is important.”
The Bulls proved that in winning the AAC.
Now, they have another chance to do important things.