Jacksonville, Fla. – The North Florida softball team defeated Maine 3-0 and James Madison 1-0 in the first day of their Home Tournament Friday night at the UNF Softball Complex.
 
The Ospreys (7-0) are off to their best start of the Marcie Hickey era and the best start in UNF Division I history.
 
"Our pitchers came through big today with two shutouts and our defense was fantastic behind them. Things are coming together for us," said coach Marcie Hickey. "We are playing sharp and with a lot of confidence."
 
Senior pitcher Kaylie Wallace delivered a four-hit, complete-game shutout over the Maine Black Bears in the first game of the day. Wallace notched eight strikeouts and only gave up one walk in her second win of the season.
 
Senior Abby Tewey gave the Ospreys a 2-0 advantage in the top of the sixth inning with a single down the left field line, scoring Katie Mandigo and Casey Estes. Junior Lexi Taylor added the third run later that inning with a sacrifice fly to center field which scored Ashley Niesman.
 
The Ospreys only mustered one hit in the win over James Madison, but that hit was a solo home run over the center field fence by junior Stacy McClelland. The shot was her third of the year.
 
Senior Kayla Goff and junior Janet Snipe combined for a shutout to make it 21 straight innings for the Ospreys bullpen without a run. Goff threw 4.2 innings for her fourth win of the season. Goff has now gone 21.2 innings without an earned run to start this season.
 
"I was really impressed that we were able to come out and score in the first inning against James Madison and hold onto that one run lead for the win.  This was a big day for us," added Hickey.
 
The Ospreys host Virginia Tech and Jacksonville State tomorrow at the UNF Softball Complex in day two of tournament action. They face the Hokies at approximately 2:30 p.m. and Jacksonville State at approximately 7:00 p.m.
 
For the latest news and updates on the UNF Softball team, follow @OspreySB on Twitter.