Bulls edge Friars in Big East softball opener

USF stormed out to a 6-0 lead, saw it disappear by the fourth inning, then held on for an 8-6 win against eighth-seeded Providence in the opening round of the Big East tournament Thursday night at Louisville.

Freshman pitcher Capri Catalano, tagged for six earned runs in the first four innings, settled down and dominated, striking out nine batters and retiring the final nine in order for the complete-game win. Senior Courtney Mosch brought in the go-ahead run with a double in the fourth and finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Five other Bulls finished with two hits each.

USF advances to Friday's semifinals, against the winner of tonight's late game between fourth-seeded Notre Dame and fifth-seeded Louisville.