University of North Florida
Charlotte
UNF bats heat up on cold day
3/8/2008 5:31:41 PM | Softball
Hyde, Parenteau lead offensive outbreak
Miami (Ohio Box)
Charlotte Box
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The University of North Florida softball team battled gusty winds and wind chill in the 30s in an opening-day split at the 49er Invitational in Charlotte, N.C.
The Lady Ospreys (14-8) slugged out four home runs in the doubleheader, downing
Heather Hyde led the offensive charge on the day, collecting a combined six hits in the two games, while driving in five runs and scoring four. Hyde started the day with four-straight hits against Miami (Ohio) before finishing the day with two hits against Charlotte, including a two-run home run.
All but one UNF starter collected a hit in the opener against
The Redhawks scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning before UNF came roaring back with four runs in the top of the second. Hyde capped the inning with a single up the middle that brought home a pair of runs. Ashley Parenteau started the scoring when she walked with the bases loaded before Kara Rutenbar made it a 2-1 game with an RBI single.
UNF added single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before putting the game away with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Gwen Williams celebrated her birthday on Saturday with a solo home run to begin the scoring in the sixth before Parenteau put an exclamation point on the game with a three-run home run to right.
That was more than enough offense for Devyn Findley (8-4) who gave up only one earned run on five hits while striking out seven.
Parenteau drove in a career-high five runs in the game, while Kacie McCloud was 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of runs.
UNF continued to take advantage of a wind that was blowing out to left and center field against the 49ers.
Hyde has at least one hit in seven of her last nine games, hitting .552 in that stretch.
Ahern (5-4) gave up an unearned run in the fifth and allowed a Jamie West home run in the bottom of the sixth before the Lady Osprey loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, scoring a run courtesy of a Katy Hackett passed ball. Hackett was able to squash the rally when she struck out Stephanie Luciani to end the game.
The loss snapped UNF's six-game winning streak as well as Ahern's five-game winning streak in the pitching circle.
Hyde was 2-for-3 at the plate, while Findley and Parenteau each had a hit and scored a run.
Game times for Sunday's contest have been pushed back due to overnight lows that are expected to dip into the 20s. UNF will take on
