University of North Florida
Mercer
Opening inning is key in split
4/11/2009 6:28:00 PM | Softball
UNF and Mercer trade wins
Game 2 Recap
JACKSONVILLE
Mercer (29-14, 8-4 A-Sun) scored its only run of the game in a 1-0 win in the opener before UNF (23-24, 9-9 A-Sun) posted two runs in the opening frame of a 2-1 victory.
Shaina Dent and Devyn Findley combined to allow seven Mercer hits in 14 innings of action with Dent (12-5) earning the win in game two and Findley coming in nail the game down in the seventh inning.
“Shaina and Devyn have been a great combination,” UNF coach Marcie Hickey said. “They complement each other very well. We wanted to take the momentum early in the second game and were able to do that with a couple of runs in the first inning. It got interesting in the final inning but Devyn was able to come in and get us out of the game.”
Findley earned her third save of the season after Dent gave up a hit a walk to start the seventh inning of play with the Lady Ospreys clinging to a one-run lead. The UNF lefty got two quick outs before walking Sara Stukes to load the bases. Findley finally sealed the victory by striking out Amanda Santa Maria.
UNF was the team scoring early in game two, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ariana Godwin scored the first run of the game, scoring from second on a ball that Ashley Battaglia chopped up the middle for a base hit. Amanda Moseley brought Battaglia into score two batters later with a base hit to left.
The Lady Ospreys kept threatening from there, putting runners in scoring position in innings two through five with no runs to show for it, however.
Dent was forced to work her way out of a couple jams as well, with the Bears putting runners in scoring position with nobody out in the second and fourth innings. Dent found her way out of those situations but couldn't turn Mercer away in the fifth after surrendering a leadoff base hit that Stukes eventually cashed in with a two-out RBI single.
Stukes had both Mercer RBIs on the day and was a combined 3-for-4 at the plate.
UNF's offense generated seven hits on the day with Alyson Bailey collecting a hit in each game.
In what has become an alarming trend for the Lady Ospreys this season, UNF dropped its sixth 1-0 decision in the opener. Findley (10-17) was once again robbed of a win, surrendering only one run in the top of the first inning and allowing only two hits overall. Findley struck out seven and walked two. Stukes had one of those two hits off of Findley, doubling home Page Raynor for the only run of the game.
Jenni Holtz gave up three hits with Godwin, Kara Rutenbar and Bailey collecting those hits for UNF. Holtz (19-6) struck out 10 and walked only one.
The Lady Ospreys are back in action on Tuesday when they host Stetson at 4 p.m.
