FORT MYERS, Fla. - North Florida softball, the sixth-seed, capitalized on third-seeded FGCU's error and won the battle, 3-2, in the first game of the ASUN Tournament to advance in the winners bracket.
The game was originally slated for 3 p.m., but moved up due to impending bad weather in the area.
UNF 3, FGCU 2
Pitchers of Record
WIN |
Sydney Matzko (14-11) 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K
LOSS | Riley Randolph (17-9) 6.0, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
SAVE |
Morgan Blourne (2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- FGCU got on the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kate Kelly singled and stole second before scoring on a throwing error.
- The Ospreys answered back as Rindy Bryant opened the top half of the fifth inning with a triple to right field. Bryant crossed the plate on a Megan Woodson single to left.
- UNF added two more runs in the top of the sixth as Dominica Cocuzza singled and was aided by two errors to score. Tiffany Lower scored the third run on FGCU's third error of the frame.
- With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, a double to center field scored a run to make it a 3-2 game. With two outs and a runner on third, the Ospreys brought in Morgan Blourne to relieve Sydney Matzko and record the final out for Blourne's second save of the season.
- Both squads threatened early on, but both FGCU starter Riley Randolph and UNF hurler Matzko escaped jams.
- Navia Penrod and Cocuzza led off the first inning with a walk and hit by pitch, respectively. Penrod landed on third after tagging on a Lower flyout, while Cocuzza stole second. FGCU got out of the inning with a double play.
- In the bottom half of the inning the Ospreys got its own double play on a lineout.
TOP PERFORMERS
UNF
Cocuzza | 1-3, R
Bryant | 1-3, 3B, R
Woodson | 1-3, RBI
FGCU
Kate Kelly | 1-4, R
McKenna Batterton | 1-2, RBI
NOTES
- It is the second time UNF has beaten the Eagles by a run. North Florida defeated FGCU in 2013 by a score of 2-1.
- Its the fifth time in ASUN championship history that a No. 6 seed beat a No. 3 seed.
- North Florida is now 2-1 against FGCU in the postseason.
LOOKING AHEAD
North Florida faces second-seeded Liberty Thursday at 8:30 a.m. With a win, the Ospreys would play Friday, but with a loss, UNF's second game would be at 5:30 p.m.
