Power surge leads to win over Louisville

Friday, February 15

Birmingham, Ala.

Noon

University of North Florida

Louisville

Lauren Pulling drove in the game winner against Louisville.

2/15/2008 4:49:41 PM | Softball

Caroline Torre homers twice Friday

Louisville Box

Troy Box

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman Caroline Torre smacked a pair of home runs at the Samford Bulldog Bash and the University of North Florida softball team split a pair of games on the opening day of play in Birmingham.

UNF (3-4) won its opening game of the day against Louisville 5-3 before falling to Troy 3-1.

After going without a home run on its opening weekend of play, UNF stroked three out of the park on Friday, with Torre collecting a home run in both games. Her first round-tripper of the day tied the Louisville game 3-3, while she accounted for UNF's only run in game two.

Lauren Pulling drove in the game-winning run against the Cardinals with a two-out RBI in the bottom of the sixth that brought home Ashley Battaglia and Heather Hyde to give UNF a 5-3 advantage. Hyde began the inning with a walk, while Battaglia walked before Devyn Findley followed her, reaching on an error.

Louisville touched Findley for three runs in the top of the first, two of which came on a Chelsea Bemis double.

Gwen Williams started the comeback rally for UNF with a two-run homerun to center field with one out in the bottom of the fourth. The home run was the first of the year for Williams and pulled her within one of teammate Ashley Parenteau and former Lady Osprey Tracy Jester for the career lead in home runs at UNF.

Findley overcame her early struggles, giving up a double to lead off the first and second innings, but not allowing another hit the rest of the way, while retiring nine of the final 10 hitters she faced. She struck out eight Cardinals in the win, improving her record to 3-1 on the season.

“Beating Louisville was a big win for us,” Wilmoth said. “It was a great comeback and we finally saw some of the power we are capable of.”

Joanna Kurycki (0-1) didn't get the same run support Findley received in the opener, as she surrendered three runs in the loss.

The Lady Ospreys are back in action for a single game on Saturday, taking on host Samford at 2:15 p.m. before wrapping up the tournament on Sunday.