Softball Splits Mid-Week Doubleheader at Stetson

Wednesday, April 17

DeLand, Fla.

5 p.m.

University of North Florida

34-11, 12-4

Stetson

24-18, 7-11

North Florida

Stetson

4/17/2013 9:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: North Florida Athletics

Game One Boxscore (PDF)
Game Two Boxscore (PDF)

DeLAND, Fla. – University of North Florida softball came out strong in Game One, but stumbled in Game Two during an Atlantic Sun doubleheader at Stetson Wednesday evening. The Ospreys (34-12, 12-5 Atlantic Sun) powered their way to an 8-0 five-inning victory in the first game, but fell 6-2 in Game Two at Patricia Watson Field.

In Game One, the momentum swung towards UNF's favor from the start. The Ospreys put up five runs and batted through their order in the first inning. A two-run home run to center field from Mariah Reynolds started UNF's scoring. After a Jackie Reese walk and back-to-back singles from Marissa Thomas and Ashley Holton, Brittney Hendrix sent a bases loaded hit up the middle to score Reese and put the Ospreys up 3-0. Abby Tewey drove in that last two runs of the inning with a bases-loaded single to center field to make it a 5-0 game.

All three of UNF's remaining runs in Game One came in the third inning. Holton started the inning with a lead-off home run to center field to put UNF up 6-0. Then with one out and Hendrix on first, Lexi Taylor drilled a double to right center to advance Hendrix to third, but a Stetson throwing miscue ultimately allowed Hendrix to get home on the play. Taylor later scored on a double to left center from Kelly Wilson.

Kaylie Wallace pitched a 5.0 innings for her sixth complete-game shutout of the season. Wallace struck out three and surrendered only two hits.

Courtney Brandt picked up the loss. In 2.2 innings, she allowed eight runs of eight hits and only struck out two.

Holton was 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored.

Jordan Cleghorn and Kayla Drury were both 1-for-2 from the plate for the Hatters.

In Game Two, Stetson broke a scoreless game with a four-run third inning. With runners in scoring position, Jessica Griffin hit a two-run double to left field to make it 2-0. Meanwhile, later in the inning, an Osprey error resulted in two more Hatter runs and Stetson held a 4-0 lead.

UNF cut into the Hatters' lead in the top of the fourth when Reynolds blasted a lead-off home run for her second homer of the day.

However, Stetson made it a five-run game when Cleghorn hit a two-run homer to left field and the Hatters held a 6-1 lead.

The Ospreys attempted to rally in the top of the seventh. Mandarano sent a one-out, RBI-single to left center that drove in Hendrix to make it 6-2. However, with UNF runners on first and second, Stetson was able to strikeout the final two Osprey batters to clinch the win and split the doubleheader.

Cortney Radke was credited with the loss. In 2.2 innings, Radke allowed three runs – two of which were earned – off four hits. She also struck out four.

Meredith Owen received the win after pitching all 7.0 innings. She allowed one earned run off seven hits and fanned 10 batters.

Reynolds went 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run in Game Two.

Both Griffin and Cleghorn were 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Cleghorn also scored two runs.

UNF returns to action with a three-game home series against Atlantic Sun newcomer Northern Kentucky this weekend. The series begins with a Saturday doubleheader at the UNF Softball Complex. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Admission to all UNF softball home games is free.