Softball Takes Two Games on Day One at Osprey Invitational

Friday, March 1

Jacksonville, Fla.

3 p.m.

University of North Florida

15-4

Princeton

1-1

North Florida

Princeton

3/1/2013 9:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: North Florida Athletics

UNF-Princeton Boxscore (PDF)
UNF-Delaware State Boxscore (PDF)
Osprey Invitational Central

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida softball started the Osprey Invitational with a pair of 2-0 shutouts of Princeton and Delaware State on Friday afternoon at the UNF Softball Complex.

“They were a little tighter than what I thought they should have been,” said head coach Marcie Hickey. “We had some opportunities with runners in scoring position and push the runs. Our pitching has been great and our defense has been solid. We're going to focus tomorrow on swinging the bats and pushing in some more runs.”

Against Princeton, a Danica Mandarano triple drove in Jackie Reese in the top of the second in order to give UNF a 2-0 lead.

UNF and Princeton battled over the next four-and-a-half innings. The Tigers threatened in the bottom of the sixth, loading up the bases with two outs, but UNF got out of the jam.

The Ospreys added an insurance run in the seventh inning. Lexi Taylor crossed home on a two-out Ashley Holton.

Kaylie Wallace had the win after pitching 4.0 innings, while Kayla Goff got the save. Wallace pitched 4.0 innings, striking out one and allowing five hits. Goff came in for the final 2.0 innings and struck out two, while giving up one hit.

Alex Peyton was credited with the loss after 7.0 innings of work. Peyton struck out two and gave up seven hits. Both of UNF's runs were unearned.

Holton, Mandarano and Reese each had two hits for the Ospreys. Holton and Mandarano also each recorded an RBI.

Maddie Cousens was 3-for-3 from the plate for the Tigers.

UNF and Delaware State fought through three-and-a-half scoreless innings before the Ospreys broke the 0-0 tie with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Mandarano drove in Stephanie McAdam from second with a hit to right field and UNF took a 1-0 lead.

Another Mandarano hit brought home UNF's second run of the game, but this time in the sixth inning. Megan David got home from second base and put the Ospreys up 2-0.

Goff got the win in 7.0 innings, striking out three and allowing six hits.

Jennifer Fischbach had the loss after giving up two runs off three hits in 3.1 innings. Fischbach also had two strikeouts.

The second day of the Osprey Invitational begins with pool play at 10 a.m., between Delaware State and Princeton. UNF faces St. Bonaventure at 12:30 p.m. Following pool play, tournament seeds will determine the tournament's final four games.