JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida softball team split their A-Sun opening doubleheader with FGCU Saturday at the UNF Softball Complex. They lost 12-2 in the first game and won the second game 4-2.
 
"Obviously game one didn't go the way that we had hoped. I was really proud of our team for being able to bounce back and take game two," said coach Marcie Hickey. "Kayla Goff threw a great game and we played solid defense behind her. It was huge to be able to come out and score in the first inning."
 
The Ospreys (17-11, 1-1) look to win the series in the rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m.
 
In game one, the Eagles (16-14, 1-1) used a 10-run third inning to put the game far out of reach. After scoring five runs on three different RBI hits, a walk, and an illegal pitch, FGCU capped off the inning with a grand slam over the right field fence to take a 11-0 lead.
 
Senior Kelly Wilson notched a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fifth but the Ospreys couldn't close the gap and FGCU won on the run-rule 12-2 after five innings.
 
In game two, senior Kayla Goff delivered a two-hit complete game against the Eagles. Her no-hit bid was broken up in the seventh and the Eagles attempted to mount the rally, but Goff and the Ospreys defense held on for the 4-2 win.
 
The Ospreys' runs came off of four, one-RBI singles by four different batters. Freshmen Stephanie Schmidt and Ashley Niesman both knocked in runs in the first inning, while junior Shelby Duncan and senior Abby Tewey scored runs in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively.
 
The third and deciding game in the series starts tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the UNF Softball Complex
 
Live stats will be provided through UNFOspreys.com and a full recap following the action will be available online.
 
For the latest news and updates on the UNF Softball team, follow @OspreySB on Twitter.