GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida softball team dropped a nail-biting, extra-inning game to the defending national champion Florida Gators 2-1 Wednesday night at the Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
 
The Ospreys (21-19) scored their first run in history in six meetings against the Gators (33-4) but it was not enough as Florida got the win with a walk off double in the bottom of the eighth.
 
"This was an exciting game against a top-notch program and a great way to head into our NKU series," said coach Marcie Hickey. "Kaylie Wallace pitched a great game. She scattered their hits and worked out of some jams early in the game."
 
Florida struck first in the game in the bottom of the fourth with an infield single to score a runner from third and take a 1-0 lead
 
Junior Shelby Duncan notched the only hit of the game at the most opportune time for the Ospreys with a towering shot over the right field fence in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 1-1.
 
However, the Gators notched a double to the right-center wall to score the 2-1 walk off win.
 
"The defense did a great job behind her and made some key relay throws from the outfield to get huge outs at third base," added Hickey. "Haeger threw a great game for Florida and it made it very difficult for our offense to get going. We did a good job making adjustments at the plate as the game went on but couldn't put hits together to score more runs."
 
Senior Kaylie Wallace pitched the complete game for the Ospreys, scattering 11 hits over seven and one-third innings of work while striking out four.
 
The Ospreys are back in action this Friday and Saturday against Northern Kentucky as they return to conference play. The doubleheader portion of the series is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. at the UNF Softball Complex.
 
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