The University of South Florida will face UCF in the NCAA Softball Tournament on Friday in Gainesville, the same region that features the overall No. 1 seeded Florida Gators.

The Bulls (44-18) won the school’s first Big East regular-season title in any sport, but were still sent to the Gators’ region. USF plays UCF Friday at 3:30 p.m., followed by UF vs. Georgia Tech at 6 p.m.

“We are happy to be close to home,” USF coach Ken Eriksen said. “UCF is a great team. Hopefully we can get healthy by then.”

Eriksen said his “get healthy” remark was about his pitching staff, but he can’t comment specifically about injuries.

UCF (46-18) won the Conference USA Tournament, while the Gators won the school’s first SEC Tournament. Florida has won 35 consecutive games.

Despite not being ranked, USF is making its eighth NCAA Tournament in Eriksen’s 12 seasons. 

“How have we not been ranked all year?” Eriksen said. “Our total games and record against the [NCAA] field warrants at least a pat on the back.

“We are never the most popular gal on the block, but we always seem to go the [NCAA] dance anyway.”