University of North Florida
Mercer
Ospreys Enter Weekend with High Hopes
5/6/2010 11:01:45 PM | Softball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida softball team heads into the weekend to play its last two Atlantic Sun Conference series on the road, playing Mercer on Friday, May 7, at 4 p.m. and Kennesaw State on Saturday, May 8, at 1 p.m.
The Ospreys (23-27, 9-7) sit fourth in the conference but are one of five other teams fighting for the four remaining spots to go to the A-Sun Tournament in DeLand, Fla. The other teams include USC Upstate (35-12, 10-8 A-Sun), Jacksonville (32-21, 10-10 A-Sun), Kennesaw State (24-24, 9-9 A-Sun) and Campbell (22-28-1, 9-9 A-Sun).
Already winning the first seed into the tournament, Lipscomb (42-10, 18-2), only lost two games in conference play, dropping a game to both KSU and Campbell. Stetson, who swept the Dolphins in a doubleheader in
As of right now, there will be three more series in the conference to determine the last four spots for the postseason. Other than North Florida's games over the weekend,
After being outscored by No. 5 Florida 30-0 in Wednesday's doubleheader, the Ospreys will look to regroup and focus in on making their conference tournament. UNF's offensive leader Caroline Torre will be back in the lineup against Mercer, after having missed the trip to
Senior Devyn Findley (17-15) leads the Ospreys in the circle with a 2.64 ERA in 204 innings. Though shouldering both losses against the Gators, she will have to trust her repertoire of pitches and stay in control of the game like she has done throughout the season with North Florida still in control of their postseason aspirations. Findley has struck out 239 batters in 2010, which is fourth in the A-Sun.
In most of Mercer's offensive categories, the Bears rank in the bottom half in the conference, putting up a .228 BA as a team. Mercer has one player hitting over .300 with Holly Oglesbee's .302 batting average.
Like UNF, the Bears have struggled at the plate but have won games with their pitching staff. Mercer's pitching staff is led by Jenni Holtz's 2.17 ERA and 15-17 record. Kari Chambers is second on the list in wins with a record of 6-8 on the season. With seven pitchers making an appearance on the season, the Bears have compiled a 2.68 team ERA.
Along with Cross's production in the batter's box, she has shown leadership in the circle, topping KSU in wins with 13. In 152.1 innings pitched, Cross posts a 1.98 ERA, which is eighth in the A-Sun. Abbey Meixel is second in the rotation with nine wins, appearing 26 times with a 3.17 ERA. As a staff the Owls have recorded a 2.94 ERA, holding opponents to a .244 BA.
Live stats will be available for both series.
