Ospreys Shut Down #23 FAU in Game 2, Split with Owls

Thursday, February 9

Boca Raton, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of North Florida

0-1

FAU

1-0

North Florida

Florida Atlantic

Cocuzza hitting a ball vs. Tennessee in 2016

Photo by: Eric Tewey

2/9/2017 10:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BOCA RATON, Fla. - After battling with the Conference USA Preseason Pitcher of the Year in game one, North Florida softball shut down No. 23 FAU in game two to win 13-4 in five innings in the second game.

QUICK GLANCE
Score: North Florida 0, FAU 1 | UNF 13, FAU 4 (5)
Records: North Florida (1-1) | FAU (1-1)
The Short Story: UNF dropped game one with one miscue to allow a run to score, while the Ospreys came back in game two and dominated FAU with a run-rule game.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box

Top Performers

Sophomore Dominica Cocuzza went 4-for-7 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Classmate Navia Penrod was 3-for-6 with four runs scored and three RBI as well as two stolen bases.
In game one, Logan Green pitched a complete game with eight hits and just one earned run with three strikeouts.
Junior Amanda Blanchard came in relief in game two and tossed 3.2 innings with just three hits, one unearned run and three strikeouts.

GAME CAPSULES
Game 1

FAU scored its lone run in the fourth inning on a double steal.
Samantha Lageyre singled to start the inning before another single moved her to third.
With runners on the corners, the Owls successfully executed the double steal.
Kylee Hanson, the CUSA Preseason Pitcher of the Year, tossed a complete game with just two hits and 10 strikeouts.

Game 2

The Ospreys pushed across multiple runs in each inning except the final to run-rule the home team.
Penrod scored the opening run after being hit by pitch and moving around on a passed ball to score.
Alex Arciola hit an RBI single to bring in Cocuzza before FAU ended the inning with a strikeout and a fielder's choice.
Blourne entered the second inning with the bases loaded and got out of the inning unscathed.
FAU stayed with the Ospreys in the early goings as it was 4-3 after two complete.
North Florida blew the game open with a four-run third and fourth innings, while holding the Owls scoreless for both to lead 12-4 after four.
UNF and FAU both pushed across one run in the fifth, but it was not enough as the Ospreys grabbed the split.

SAY WHAT
"Logan had a great first outing in game one. She kept us in that game and gave us a chance to win. I was impressed with the way our team bounced back in game 2. Blanchard came in a tight situation and shut down their hitters. Our offense was unstoppable and we did a fantastic job executing bunts and stealing bases. This is a huge win and a great way to start the season.." - Head Coach Marcie Hickey

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

FAU is ranked No. 23 in the latest USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I Top 25 Poll
Game two saw UNF tally 17 hits, while the Osprey staff limited the Owls to just six.
Freshman Morgan Blourne made her first collegiate start with two strikeouts.
All but one player in the line up recorded at least one hit, while Penrod and Cocuzza each recorded three RBI.
Casey Estes was 3-for-3 in stolen bases with one leading to a run scored.

NEXT UP
North Florida takes on Michigan State at 11:15 a.m. and Troy at 1:30 p.m. in the FAU Kickoff Classic.