Softball Splits on Final Day of Eagle Classic

Sunday, February 26

Statesboro, Ga.

1:30 p.m.

University of North Florida

7-4

Jacksonville State

2-9

North Florida

Jacksonville St.

2/26/2012 7:20:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: North Florida Athletics

Gm. 1: UNF-Jacksonville State Boxscore
Gm. 2: UNF-Georgia Southern Boxscore

STATESBORO, Ga. – The University of North Florida softball team dropped its first game on Sunday at the Eagle Classic, falling 3-2 to Jacksonville State, but rebounded with a 4-1 win over host Georgia Southern to conclude play at Eagle Field.

UNF went up 1-0 in the top of the third when Marissa Thomas' double to left field brought home Jackie Reese.

The Ospreys held the lead until the bottom of the sixth when Jacksonville State got all three of its runs in three at-bats. With one out, Shelby Holley's single down the left field line allowed Kaycee Crow to score from second and tie the game at 1-1. With Hilary Phillips pinch running for Holley, a Kristin Graham triple allowed Phillips to score the go-ahead run to put the Gamecocks up 2-1. Tyris Branford came in to pinch run for Graham and then scored on a Krystal Ruth double as Jacksonville State carried a 3-1 lead.

The Ospreys' rally fell short in the seventh as UNF was able to get just one run. With runners on second and third, Reynolds' sac fly to right field was deep enough to allowed Reese to score and make it a 3-2 game. However, that was the closest UNF could get.

Savanna Hennings received the win after getting the last out in the sixth and first two outs of the seventh. In 1.0 innings pitched, she allowed one run off one hit. Meanwhile, Sam Snow, who pictched the first 6.2 innings, was credited with the save after getting the game's final out. In 6.0 innings, she allowed one run off four hits and had one strikeout.

Kayla Goff (2-3) received the loss after pitching all 6.0 innings and allowed three runs off six hits. She fanned five batters.

Thomas led UNF with a 2-for-3 showing from the plate, while Reese, Kaley Brosky and Alyson Bailey all had one hit. Thomas and Reynolds each had one RBI.

Crow was 2-for-3 for the Gamecocks with one run.

In Game Two, UNF capitalized on a base loaded error by Georgia Southern in the top of the second. With two outs, a throwing miscue brought in both Bailey and Danica Mandarano and gave UNF the 2-0 lead.

Georgia Southern cut into UNF's lead in the third. With two outs and runners on first and second, Mackenzie Williams had a hit down the right field line that advanced the runners each one base, but an Osprey miscue resulted in Jorie Walker reaching home to make it a 2-1 game.

UNF pushed its lead to three with one run in each the fourth and fifth innings. Reese sent a two-out single to left field that scored Mandarano in the fourth. Then in the fifth, Lauren Pollack drilled a double to left center, bringing home Brittany Hendrix and putting the Ospreys ahead 4-1.

Ashley Brown (1-1) was credited with the win after pitching the final 3.2 innings, allowing four hits but no runs. She also registered six strikeouts.

Alie Miles received the loss after giving up three runs – one earned – off six hits and fanning three batters.

Seven Ospreys recorded hits with Mandarano leading the way with a 2-for-3 and two runs scored performance.

Williams and Andrea Tarashuk each tallied two hits for the Eagles.

Following the UNF-Georgia Southern game, the All-Tournament Team was announced with Pollack and Kaylie Wallace both earning spots on the team.

UNF returns to action next weekend when it hosts the first of two Osprey Invitationals. The tournament begins on Friday and continues until Sunday at the UNF Softball Complex. However, UNF opens play at the tournament on Saturday against McNeese State at 4:15 p.m., and St. Bonaventure at 6:30 p.m. For a complete schedule of the Osprey Invitational, click here.