SYRACUSE -  Lindsey Richardson put together a strong start for the University of South Florida softball team, but the Bulls just couldn't figure out Richardson's counterpart.

Syracuse pitcher Jenna Caira held USF (44-9 overall, 16-4 Big East) to just two hits, striking out 10, and got help from a fifth-inning home run to send the Orange (39-12, 16-4) to a 2-0 win, sending the teams into a tie for second place in the conference.

Sophomore outfielder Ashli Goff broke up a perfect game bid in the fourth, driving a one-out single into left-center. She stole second and advanced to third on a groundout, but was stranded just 60 feet from home.

Salvarola shared Goff's fate in the fifth, singling and stealing second and third, but that threat ended as Caira struck out final batter of the inning.

Richardson pitched 4.1 innings, giving up a leadoff homer in the fifth and a single before being lifted for Sam Greiner, who threw 1.2 innings of scoreless ball. Richardson struck out seven, and Greiner finished with three punchouts.