Late run sends UNF home with loss

Sunday, February 8

Tampa, Fla.

11 a.m.

University of North Florida

Illinois State

UNF softball player winding up for the pitch

Devyn Findley struck out 23 batters over the weekend.

2/8/2009 3:25:00 PM | Softball

Lady Ospreys drop last three in Tampa

By: Shawn LaFata

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – After opening the Louisville Slugger Tournament with 18 hits on the opening day of play, the University of North Florida softball team could only muster two runs in three games to close out the event with a 1-4 mark.

The Lady Ospreys fell to host South Florida 5-1 and Florida Gulf Coast 4-0 on Saturday before losing to Illinois State 2-1 on Sunday.

UNF and Illinois State battled into the seventh inning before the Cardinals took advantage of a walk and a UNF error in the bottom of the seventh to break a 1-1 tie and capture the win. The Lady Ospreys got off to an early lead when Caroline Torre led off the top of the second inning with a base hit before being lifted for pinch runner Nicolette Chimato who scored on an Amanda Mosely base hit.

The Cardinals countered with a run in the third and one more in the seventh off of Lady Osprey starter Devyn Findley.

Findley struck out 12 in the game, finishing one strikeout shy of her career high. The UNF junior allowed only one earned run to Illinois State and walked five in 6.2 innings of work.

“We did a lot of good things this weekend and there were plenty of bright spots for us,” UNF head coach Marcie Hickey said. “Offensively, we out hit every team but one. We just need to string some hits together and not make untimely mistakes.”

Pitcher Shaina Dent was a newcomer that had plenty of bright spots over the weekend, picking up the team's only win and allowing only eight hits in 13 innings of work. She formed an opposing duo with Findley (0-2) who struck out 23 in 12.2 innings of work.

Three freshmen – Britanie Block (.357), Ariana Godwin (.353) and Allyson Bailey (.353) – led the Lady Ospreys at the plate, while Laura Williams drove in three runs.

UNF will spend next week in Central Florida, taking on UCF Wednesday before playing in UCF's tournament over the weekend.