COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 3-seeded North Florida softball came back down four runs in the sixth inning to defeat No. 2-seeded Virginia, 6-5, in the NCAA Columbia Regional on Saturday evening at Beckham Park.

The Ospreys walked it off against UVA after a game-tying homer by Mackenzie Woods in the seventh inning for her first hit of the tournament weekend, followed with an RBI single from Chloe Culp to complete the comeback. It's the second time that UNF has pulled off a come-from-behind victory against Virginia in as many days.

After falling down a run in the first, the Ospreys responded immediately with an RBI single from Culp to score Allison Benning from second base. The Cavaliers added three more runs in the second inning after a home run to left center.

After another from UVA was scored in the sixth, UNF had its own response with another RBI knock from Culp to score a run. A sac-fly from Kirsten Caravaca to score Lauren Bevis, along with Alyssa Jones scoring on a wild pitch, cut the deficit from four runs to one.

Kylah Berry, Macie Hunolt and Taylor Cook all saw time in the circle with the pair of freshmen not allowing any runs in relief. Cook picked up her third win of the season in spectacular fashion to force a date with South Carolina on Sunday for the regional title.

UNF 6, UVA 5

Pitchers of Record
Win: Taylor Cook (3-1)
Loss: Eden Bigham (18-10)

Line Scores
UVA | 5 R, 7 H, 0 E, 3 LOB
UNF | 6 R, 7 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

Statistical Leaders
UNF
Chloe Culp | 3-4, 3 RBI, GW RBI single
Mackenzie Woods | 1-2, RBI, R, BB, game-tying HR
Allison Benning | 2-3, R, BB
Lauren Brock | 1-3, 2 R

UVA
Jade Hylton | 2-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, HR
Bella Cabral | 2-3, 2 RBI, R, HR
Eden Bigham | 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 36 pitches

UP NEXT

North Florida will get its rematch against South Carolina on Sunday, May 18, in the NCAA Columbia Regional title series on ESPN+/ESPN2. The Ospreys will have to take down USC twice to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.