Good showing for pitchers in A-Sun split

Saturday, March 7

Jacksonville, Fla.

2 p.m.

University of North Florida

Campbell

UNF softball player winding up for the pitch

Devyn Findley struck out 11 in the opener.

3/7/2009 6:58:00 PM | Softball

Lady Ospreys win first game 4-1, fall to Campbell 2-0 in second

By: Shawn LaFata

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida softball team cooled down a red hot Campbell squad in its Atlantic Sun opener but couldn't find enough offense in game two of a doubleheader split at the UNF Softball Complex.

UNF (9-15, 1-1 A-Sun) pitchers Devyn Findley and Shaina Dent combined for 20 strikeouts on the day, while Airen Payne hit a solo home run, helping UNF to a 4-1 victory in game one. The Camels (17-6, 3-1 A-Sun) found their revenge in game two with a 2-0 win, thanks to a Brittany Stanley performance that saw her allow only two infield base hits.

“Our goal was to come out and take an early lead and break up the momentum they have had and we were able to do that,” UNF head coach Marcie Hickey said. “Devyn did a good job. She is a great pitcher and she stayed ahead all day and they couldn't figure her out. “

Findley fanned 11 Camel hitters in the opener, not surrendering a run until the top of the fifth inning, while walking three and giving up five hits.

The Lady Osprey offense helped Findley (3-9) out in the opening inning, scoring three runs in the frame to take an early advantage. UNF shortstop Brittanie Block helped get the scoring started with a walk to lead off the game before Arianna Godwin was hit by a pitch to put a pair of runners on with nobody out.

Kara Rutenbar followed two batters later with a base up the middle, staking the Lady Ospreys to a 1-0 advantage.

Two runs came in later in the inning when Payne reached on a two-out error.

Campbell took one of those runs back in the fifth before Payne hit her second home run in as many games to give her team a 4-1 advantage. Payne drove in two runs on the day, while Ashley Battaglia had a pair of hits to lead the UNF offense.

UNF had five hits overall and looked like it was off to a good start in game two when Block led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single. That's the only hit UNF would muster, however, until Caroline Torre reached in the bottom of the seventh on an infield single.

Campbell's first run of the game came in the third inning when Keeli Melton scored on a double-steal attempt. The Camels would then add one more in the sixth when Stanley helped her own cause with an RBI single. UNF had four baserunners in the game with only one of those reaching scoring position.

Dent (5-4) did her best to keep the Lady Ospreys in the contest, tying her career-high with nine strikeouts. She surrendered six hits in the game, walking three and giving up two earned runs.

The Lady Ospreys return to tournament play next week when they head to Rock Hill, S.C. for action at Winthrop. UNF's first game of the weekend will take place Friday at 11 a.m. against Syracuse.