Former Osbourn softball star pitcher Cristi Ecks was released from a Tampa-area hospital Fri-day after having a defibrillator surgically implanted to keep her heartbeat regulated.
Ecks, 20, collapsed April 1 during a University of Florida softball workout after her heart lost rhythm. The Bulls junior returned to her normal class schedule Monday but has yet to be cleared to rejoin the team as an active player.
During Ecks’ absence USF lost its first Big East Conference game Sunday, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Villanova in game two of a doubleheader.
Ecks was named conference pitcher of the week just prior to the incident a week ago. She is 7-3 with a 1.21 ERA this season with USF.
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