University of North Florida
MAINE
Howell leads offensive attack
3/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -
University of North Florida third baseman Elizabeth Howell pounded out three extra base hits and helped
lead an offense that overpowered Maine in a
doubleheader sweep at the UNF Softball Complex.
The Lady Ospreys (15-12) won the opening game 3-1
before defeating the Black Bears (13-12) 9-0 in the
second game.
Howell had three hits overall, including a two-run
home run in the first game that turned out to be the
game winner. The freshman extended her hitting
streak to seven games and has at least one hit in nine
of her last 11 outings.
UNF's offense pounded out 16 hits overall on the day,
while pitchers Katie Brosky and Devyn Findley threw
back-to-back complete games and struck out 15
hitters between them.
"We like playing at home," UNF head coach Sonya
Wilmoth said. "We are comfortable here and it
showed in our performance. We got great hitting from
some people that haven't been hitting at their usual
average. We got two good pitching performances and
out defense was solid once again."
UNF has now outscored its opponents 17-1 at home
this season and has won 14-straight games at the
UNF Softball Complex dating back to last year.
Howell got the scoring started in the fourth inning of
the opener with a two-run home run to left-center, her
second home run of the season. Gwen Williams
followed Howell with a walk and eventually came
around to score when Lauren Pulling reached on a
two-out error.
Maine touched Brosky (6-6) for its only run in the game
in the top of the sixth when Whitney Spangler drove
home Melinda Corssino. Brosky didn't allow another
run from there, and got a little help from catcher Kelli Rutenbar who threw out a runner trying to steal and
also picked a runner off third base.
The UNF offense jumped on Maine early in game two,
scoring four runs in the opening inning before adding
five more in a second that Ashley Parenteau capped
off with a three-run home run.
Howell started the scoring once again, driving home
Christina Evans with a triple in the first inning. Heather Hyde brought Howell to the plate with an RBI single
before Parenteau and Findley delivered RBI singles to
make it a 4-0 game.
Evans and Rutenbar both reached on a one-out single
in the second inning before Howell doubled to drive
home Rutenbar. Evans scored when Williams
reached on a fielder's choice before Parenteau
cleared the bases with her second home run of the
season.
Parenteau finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate with
two runs and four RBIs.
That was more than enough for Findley (6-1). The
reining Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Week struck out
seven, while allowing five hits and giving up two
walks.
Evans, Howell and Hyde each had a hit in both ends
of the doubleheader for UNF. Evans finished the
nightcap 3-for-3 with two runs, after going 1-for-3 with
a run in the opener.
The Lady Ospreys are right back on the field Thursday
for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Ball State before
opening conference play against Campbell on
Saturday in a doubleheader that begins at 1 p.m.
