UNF survives in 1-0 win over Bethune

Wednesday, April 8

Jacksonville, Fla.

5 p.m.

University of North Florida

Bethune-Cookman

UNF softball player winding up for the pitch

Devyn Findley captured her 10th win of the season Wednesday.

4/8/2009 10:44:00 PM | Softball

Findley throws second straight shutout

By: Shawn LaFata

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida softball team scored a run in the opening inning of play and hung on from there in a 1-0 victory against Bethune-Cookman at the UNF Softball Complex.

Alyson Bailey had a pair of hits while Devyn Findley struck out nine Wildcats (12-28) to lead the Lady Ospreys (21-22) to the victory.

The UNF offense wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, posting a run in the first inning after Brittanie Block led off the game with a double that sailed to the fence in right-center. She moved to third on an Ariana Godwin sacrifice bunt before scoring on an Ashley Battaglia sacrifice fly to left.

The Lady Ospreys put runners on base in the first four innings but could not muster another run during that stretch. UNF left the bases loaded in the fourth inning, while also leaving runners in scoring position in the second and third innings.

Clinging to a one-run lead, Findley (10-15) was traveling a dangerous road, allowing at least one baserunner in five of the first six innings. The Wildcats put runners in scoring position in the second, fourth and sixth innings but couldn't put a mark on the scoreboard. Findley's biggest jam came in the top of the sixth when she gave up a double to Bethune pitcher Allison Garcia to put runners on first and second with one out. Findley, however, came back to strikeout the next two hitters in the Wildcat lineup, working her way out of the inning without allowing a run.

Findley finished the game off with a flawless seventh inning, striking out Ashley Taylor to end the contest. The shutout was her fifth of the season and second this week after she did not allow a run at Jacksonville on Monday. With her nine strikeouts, Findley surpassed 200 strikeouts for the second straight season and will head into the weekend with 207.

UNF will take Thursday off before returning to the field to host a pair of conference doubleheaders. The Lady Ospreys will take on Kennesaw State Friday at 3 p.m. before hosting Mercer on Saturday at 2 p.m.