The East Carolina University softball team had the University of South Florida down to its last strike, but then gave up five runs leading to a 7-3 loss in the first game of the American Athletic Conference series at the ECU Softball Stadium yesterday.
It was the second game in a row that ECU (19-26, 5-8 AAC) lost late. ECU had a 3-1 lead against the University of North Carolina but then allowed three unanswered runs in Wednesday’s 4-3 loss. ECU held a 3-2 lead before giving up the big rally against USF (32-16, 10-3 AAC) on Friday, and head coach Courtney Oliver said the team needs more focus and toughness.