#SB Launches Eight-Game Road Swing with Non-Conference Finale at Bethune-Cookman

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Wednesday will be a beginning and an end for University of North Florida softball. The Ospreys start an eight-game road swing with their final non-conference games of the regular-season, traveling to Daytona Beach to face Bethune-Cookman in an afternoon doubleheader at Sunnydale Park.

"After a strong outing against Jacksonville over the weekend, we are hoping to continue to play well as we head into the home stretch of our season," said head coach Marcie Hickey. "Our pitching and hitting were on point over the weekend. We are looking for a stronger defensive performance tomorrow to round us out."

UNF comes off a three-game series sweep of Jacksonville at the UNF Softball Complex. The Ospreys posted a pair of one-run wins during Saturday's doubleheader and then downed the Dolphins with a 7-2 Sunday victory. Marissa Thomas had both game-winning runs on Saturday, scoring on Rachel Engel's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning in Game One's 4-3 win and then having a lead-off shot in the sixth inning in Game Two's 3-2 victory.

Thomas was one of four Ospreys to register a home run during the series with Jacksonville. Danica Mandarano hit the first homer of her career with a laser-shot down the right field line in Game One on Saturday. Both Ashia Kerr and Mariah Reynolds had their fourth homers of the season during Sunday's series finale. Kerr had a two-out solo shot to center field, while Reynolds blasted a three-run home run also to center field. The Ospreys have now tallied 19 total home runs on the season, which is tied at No. 10 among UNF's team single-season records.

Meanwhile, Kaylie Wallace picked up the fourth Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Week honor of her career on Monday. Wallace came in relief last week for the Ospreys and got the win in both appearances, which were against Jacksonville. She recorded a 0.91 ERA and struck out six batters, including the first batter she faced in both appearances. Wallace also recorded a strikeout looking for the third out in the top of the seventh to end Sunday's series finale. Wallace is the first Osprey this season to receive a conference weekly award.

Bethune-Cookman has won five of its last six games and also brings a four-game home winning streak that includes three straight shutouts into Wednesday's doubleheader. The Lady Wildcats have not allowed their opponent to score a run since the top of the third in Game Two against Marist on Mar. 15. However, Bethune-Cookman is 0-3 against the Atlantic Sun this season - suffering all three losses to Stetson - and comes off a 3-2 loss at South Carolina State on Sunday. Kelsey Rodney is batting .343. She's tallied 37 hits, 14 of which have been doubles.

UNF holds a 12-4 lead in the all-time series and has won the last three meetings. However, the last time a mid-week doubleheader took play in Daytona Beach, UNF and Bethune-Cookman split the series with UNF having a nine-inning 3-2 Game One win and Bethune-Cookman claiming a 9-1 five-inning Game Two victory.

First pitch for Wednesday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.

#SB Launches Eight-Game Road Swing with Non-Conference Finale at Bethune-Cookman

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