University of North Florida
ETSU
Battaglia powers UNF to sweep
3/18/2009 10:32:00 PM | Softball
Senior catcher collects five hits, drives in three
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – University of North Florida catcher Ashley Battaglia belted a home run and drove in the winning run in a two-game sweep at East Tennessee State. The UNF senior collected five hits on the day, helping the Lady Ospreys capture a 5-0 win in the opener and a 3-2 win in 10 innings in the nightcap.
The wins moved UNF (13-15, 3-1 A-Sun) into a first-place tie in the Atlantic Sun Conference and gave the Lady Ospreys their fourth win in a row.
UNF had 13 hits on the day and received a second-straight shutout performance from Devyn Findley and a complete-game 10-inning effort from Shaina Dent in the nightcap.
The Lady Ospreys scored three unearned runs in the nightcap, coming back from a 2-0 deficit in the first inning of play to score single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Battaglia helped tie the game in the top of the fifth, leading off the inning with a double before advancing to third on an ETSU (15-7, 0-2) error. Kara Rutenbar drove her home one batter later knot the score 2-2.
The score would stay tied until the 10th inning when Battaglia drove home Brittanie Block with a sacrifice fly to center.
The Lady Osprey defense turned a double play in the bottom of the 10th before Dent coaxed a groundout to end the game. Dent (6-4) pitched all 10 innings for the Lady Ospreys, giving up eight hits and two walks, while striking out six.
UNF gave Findley all the help she needed in the opening inning of play of game one. The Lady Ospreys scored a pair of runs in the first inning thanks to RBI doubles by Battaglia and Airen Payne. Laura Williams hit her first career home run in the fourth inning, before Battaglia finished the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the fifth.
Battaglia was 2-for-3 in the game with a pair of runs and two RBIs.
Findley (6-9) was back to the form that earned her all-conference honors last season, not allowing a walk for the second game in a row. The UNF lefty surrendered eight hits and struck out three.
The competition picks up for the Lady Ospreys this weekend when they host
