Softball Splits on Final Day of Quality Inn Classic

Sunday, February 20

Troy, Ala.

11:00 a.m.

University of North Florida

Bradley

2/20/2011 8:06:48 PM | Softball

By: UNF Athletics

Game One (Bradley) Box Score ::: Game Two (Troy) Box Score

TROY, Ala. – The North Florida softball team (4-6) split its two games on Sunday at the Quality Inn Classic at the Troy Softball Complex. The Ospreys fell to Bradley (3-6), 5-3, in the first game, but followed up with a seventh-inning rallying win 3-2 over host Troy (6-3).

After the day, the North Florida club is 4-1 in its last five games after dropping its first five games to open the season. Of the team's six losses, four came at the hands of nationally-ranked teams, which were also 2010 NCAA Tournament teams.

Freshmen Marissa Thomas and Mariah Reynolds were named to the All-Tournament team. Bradley claimed the tournament title based on run differential over Troy and North Florida as all three teams were tied with a 3-1 tournament record.

North Florida will have the week off before returning to action in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 25-27, at the UCF Courtyard by Marriott Invitational II. The Ospreys will play five games throughout the tournament with the first coming against Villanova on Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. (ET).

GAME ONE

Bradley's senior pitcher Katie Dennis threw four scoreless innings in relief as the Braves rallied in the sixth inning, plating two runs to defeat the Ospreys, 5-3. Dennis fanned two, walked one and allowed five hits in the circle.

The Braves took over the lead in a tie game in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a one-out single, Denise Jilka doubled to right center which would plate the eventual winning run. Jilka advanced to third on the throw home and scored on a sacrifice bunt the very next play, making the score 5-3 in Bradley's favor.

North Florida struck first in the game with two runs in the first inning. With runners on first and second and two outs, freshman Mariah Reynolds cranked a clutch double to left field to clear the bases.

The lead was short-lived however, as Bradley assumed the advantage with three runs of its own in the bottom frame of the first. The Braves loaded the bases with two outs and earned its first run of the game on a walk by North Florida junior pitcher Chie Someya. The next Braves' batter lined a shot down the right field line, scoring two and bringing an end to Someya's day in the circle.

In the fourth inning, Reynolds hit her second deep ball in as many games to left center, tying the game at 3-3 and also bringing an end to Bradley's starting pitcher Alison Kresl's day.

Reynolds was outstanding in the game, batting .750 on 3-of-4 with a double and home run. The Auburndale, Fla., native was responsible for all of North Florida's runs, finishing the day with three RBI.

North Florida freshman hurler Cortney Radke (2-5) was tagged with the loss, allowing the final two runs – both earned – on just two hits in 5.1 innings of work. Radke sat down five on strikes while walking one on the day.

GAME TWO

Freshman Mariah Reynolds extended her hitting streak to four games as she helped the North Florida softball team over Troy, 3-2. The Ospreys scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning to hand the Trojans its first home loss of the year.

In the seventh, junior Alyson Bailey doubled to center and advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out. Bailey scored the winning run on a wild play where Marissa Thomas singled to left field, advanced to second and then third on a fielding error by the left fielder. Thomas was 2-for-4 in the game with two RBI and one double.

Freshman Osprey hurler Cortney Radke (3-5) earned the win, pitching a complete-game seven innings. Radke allowed two runs – both earned – on seven hits while fanning seven and walking four in the nightcap.

Reynolds, now tied for the longest hit streak on the team this year, extended her streak to four games on a single down the left field line in the fifth inning.

The game was scoreless until the fifth when North Florida plated two runs, with two outs, after the first two batters resulted in outs. The first run was on an error after Bailey singled with to left with junior Kaley Brosky on first. Brosky advanced to third before a throwing error by center field allowed her to score and moved Brosky into scoring position at third. Brosky scored on a single back up the middle on the very next at-bat.

Troy would answer back and knot the score at two a piece in the bottom half of the frame.

The Trojans' Haley Hutchins (2-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs – two earned – on six hits in 6 1/3 innings in the circle. Hutchins sat down seven on strikes and walked just one.