COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 3-seeded North Florida softball came through in the clutch once again to clinch its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, 2-1, against No. 2-seeded and No. 25-ranked Virginia in the NCAA Columbia Regional on Friday afternoon at Beckham Park.

All three of the Ospreys hits came in the sixth inning with Lauren Brock reaching base on a slap single with one out, followed with Chloe Culp and Kirsten Caravaca delivering RBI knocks to add a pair of runs for the lead. Benning shut the door in the final two innings defensively to secure a complete-game, two-hit outing in the circle.

UNF added its first win against a Power Four team on the season, as well as a top-25 victory with the Cavaliers being ranked No. 25 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball rankings. They will advance as one of the three mid-major teams to win on Friday as a three or four seed, joining USF and Southeastern Louisiana.

UNF 2, UVA 1

Pitchers of Record
Win: Allison Benning (25-5)
Loss: Julia Cuozzo (5-2)

Line Scores
UNF | 2 R, 3 H, 0 E, 4 LOB
UVA | 1 R, 2 H, 1 E, 3 LOB

Statistical Leaders
UNF
Kirsten Caravaca | 1-3, go-ahead RBI double
Chloe Culp | 1-3, game-tying RBI single
Lauren Brock | 1-3
Allison Benning | BB; 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 107 pitches

UVA
Sarah Coon | 1-2, RBI, R, BB, solo HR
Kelly Ayer | 1-3
Julia Cuozzo | 5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 79 pitches

UP NEXT

North Florida will advance to play on Saturday, May 17, facing hosts South Carolina at 1 p.m.