Softball Hosts FIU in Final Non-Conference Matchup

Game Notes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In its last non-conference matchup of the season, the University of North Florida softball team (22-27, 6-10 A-Sun) welcomes 2010 NCAA Tournament participant FIU (25-23, 11-8 Sun Belt) for a doubleheader on Friday, April 22. The first pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m. at the UNF Softball Complex.

LAST TIME OUT

The Ospreys enter the weekend looking to keep the momentum moving forward after nabbing a win over Florida Gulf Coast in game two of a doubleheader on April 19 to claim its second in its last four games. Prior to winning two in its last four games, the Ospreys were just 1-7 in its last eight games. Freshman pitcher Cortney Radke seemed to have the Florida Gulf Coast batter's numbers as she fanned 22 in both games, which she pitched both complete games. Fellow freshman Danica Mandarano was just as impressive, batting .667 against the Eagles with two RBI in the series. Senior Caroline Torre helped the squad claim game two with a two-run deep ball to left centerfield in the first inning, which would be the only two runs of the game.

WHO TO WATCH

Freshman Cortney Radke leads North Florida in the circle, pitching 241.2 innings this season and boasts an ERA of 2.20. Radke has tallied six shutouts in 24 complete games on the year and has fanned 275 batters. At the plate, freshman Brittany Hendrix boasts a team-high batting average of .283. Fellow classmate Mariah Reynolds leads the squad in multi-bag hits, legging out 11 doubles on the year to go along with four homeruns, while driving in a team-best 28 RBI. Additionally, sophomore Jackie Reese leads the team with five homeruns, including two multi-homerun games, hitting two in one game against Samford and Kennesaw State. In the last meeting against FIU, junior Kaley Brosky tied a school game record, drawing four walks.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION

FIU is struggling to stay in the win column as of late, dropping five of its last seven games while being outscored, 45-22, in that span. The Panthers are led at the plate by Ashley McClain, the defending Sun Belt Player of the Year, who is hitting an impressive .409 with 10 homeruns, one triple and 12 doubles while driving in 40 RBI and scoring 31 runs. As a team, however, the squad is just hitting .268. In the circle, Jenn Gniadek has worked a team-high 157 innings to a 12-11 record and 2.68 ERA, while totaling 116 strikeouts and two shutouts in 21 complete games.

SERIES HISTORY

North Florida will look for its first victory over the FIU Panthers in the two schools first meeting in Jacksonville. The Ospreys have matched up against the Panthers just twice, losing both games in the past two seasons at the FIU Combat Classic in Miami, Fla. North Florida was shutout 3-0 earlier this season on Feb. 13. The most recent game was tied 0-0 until FIU broke through for three runs in the sixth inning.

OSPREYS LOOK TO COMPETE AGAINST THE BEST IN TOUGH SCHEDULE

Coach Hickey did her best this season to challenge her squad prior to conference play with a challenging out of conference schedule. The Ospreys will play a total of 16 games against 10 teams that made the 2010 Division 1 NCAA Tournament, including Michigan which advanced as far as the NCAA Super Regional last season. All teams from last year's tournament on the schedule are DePaul, Ohio State, Kentucky, FIU, UCF, Michigan, Long Island, Bethune-Cookman, Lipscomb and Florida State. In addition, North Florida will face eight preseason nationally-ranked squads, including No. 8 Michigan, No. 22 Ohio State and No. 23 Florida State.

Of North Florida's 27 losses, 12 have come to either nationally-ranked teams or squads that competed in the NCAA Tournament last season.

NORTH FLORIDA AIMS FOR FIRST ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE TOURNEY BIRTH

Since transitioning to Division 1 in 2005 and beginning Atlantic Sun play in 2006, the North Florida softball team has yet to make its first postseason appearance - the top six teams in the conference advance to the A-Sun Tournament each year. After finishing sixth from 2006-09, the Ospreys finished eighth and just one game out of sixth in 2010 - the first year it was eligible for postseason play.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Ospreys return to conference play as the squad wraps up its home games on Senior Day, hosting Stetson for a doubleheader on April 30. The first pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m. (ET).

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