Ospreys Move to Seven in a Row

Friday, April 2

Jacksonville, Fla.

3:00:00 PM

University of North Florida

Belmont

Senior Airen Payne

4/2/2010 4:47:00 PM | Softball

By: Andrew Hopkins, UNF Athletics

Box Score 1

Box Score 2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Ospreys won their seventh game en route to their second sweep of an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent, beating Belmont 8-5 and then 2-0, improving the University of North Florida softball team's overall record to 19-18 and 5-1 in conference play.

Senior Airen Payne showed her leadership with a pinch hit double in the first game that drove in two runs and a RBI base hit in the second game to break the 0-0 tie. On the day, the Cocoa, Fla. native went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two doubles.

North Florida came into the series with a lot confidence with their pitching rotation allowing a 0.75 ERA in conference play.

Though the Bruins scored five runs in the first game the Ospreys did what was needed and stepped up in opportune situations.

In the bottom of the fourth (3-1) with bases loaded and two outs, head coach Marcie Hickey made a change in the lineup, putting the bat in Payne's hands.

In a close game, Payne extended the Ospreys' lead in the fourth inning to a four-run lead (5-1), driving in sophomores Amanda Moseley and Britanie Block and giving sophomore Shaina Dent some breathing room.

Again in the fourth Hickey was rewarded with her move to pinch hit sophomore Alyson Bailey with runners in scoring position, resulting in a RBI single that brought UNF's score to 6-1.

Dent relieved starting pitcher Findley in the third inning with a 3-1 lead, but after 4 1/3 innings of work, Findley would be put back in to the game to help preserve her 14th win of the season.

With bases loaded in the top of the seventh and two outs with the score 8-5 and the tying run on first, Findley was called to finish the game she started. Down to the last batter in the line-up, centerfielder Kelley Cash would not be able to come through for the Bruins, with a game ending fly-out to sophomore Ariana Godwin in centerfield.

For both teams, the second game was a pitcher's dual with both aces getting the start for their respective teams.

Findley (15-9) picked up her second win of the day, tossing her sixth complete game shutout of the year. In 2009, Findley registered seven shutouts. Belmont was only able to scatter three hits and was sat-down seven times in Findley's 15th start of the season.

For the Bruins pitcher Devon Schmidt (5-11) picked up her eleventh loss of the season allowing two runs on six hits. Schmidt gave up the second run to Findley in the bottom of the sixth with a home run to left center to take a 2-0 advantage. Findley's home run would be her third of the season.

The Ospreys will play a doubleheader tomorrow against Lipscomb (27-7, A-Sun 6-0) at 2 p.m. for the A-Sun series of the week. The game will be streamed live on ASUN.TV.