By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - The Bulls' bats heated up a little too late in their NFCA Leadoff Classic opener Friday afternoon in Clearwater.

Kenshyra Jackson drove in two runs in the bottom of the seventh but No. 14 USF's rally ended with a runner in scoring position in a 5-4 loss to Southern Illinois.

USF (6-4) had runners on second and third when Jackson hit a two-out single to center field. A walk by Stephanie Medina put runners on first and second before Lee Ann Spivey lined out to end the Bulls' comeback attempt.

USF starter Sara Nevins struck out four and gave up two earned runs on five hits in the no decision.  Brittany Lang (5-3) gave up two earned runs on four hits and walked six in her complete-game performance for Southern Illinois (6-6).

D'Anna Devine collected two of the Bulls' four total hits as USF wound up stranding eight runners.

The Bulls finish up their doubleheader with a test against Louisiana-Lafayette 7 p.m. Friday back at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.