COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 3-seeded North Florida softball completed its historic season with an 8-0 defeat to No. 1-seeded South Carolina in the NCAA Columbia Regional title game on Sunday afternoon at Beckham Park.
Similar to Saturday, the Ospreys kept it a defensive game through the first three frames with no hits allowed. South Carolina was able to capital late in the fourth inning due to a fielding error with two outs.
UNF had opportunities to score in the early innings with runners in scoring position, but weren't able to covert from the plate. The Gamecocks added insurance scoring the remaining runs in the fifth inning to close out the regional title game.
Allison Benning completed a star-studded weekend with 10 strikeouts and nine hits allowed through 17.1 innings pitched on 315 pitches, as well as going 4-for-8 (.500 BA), with four walks and a run scored. The senior finishes a career year with 19 home runs at the plate, 25 wins in the circle and the 10th-most walks drawn in a single season in NCAA D-I history (74).
Pitchers of Record
Win: Sam Gress (13-9)
Loss: Allison Benning (25-7)
Save: Jori Heard (3)
Line Scores
UNF | 0 R, 3 H, 2 E, 4 LOB
USC | 8 R, 8 H, 0 E, 3 LOB
Statistical Leaders
UNF
Hadlee Reichert | 1-2, 2B
Lauren Brock | 1-3
Addyson Bruneman | 1-2
Allison Benning | 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 98 pitches
USC
Knight | 2-3, 3 RBI, R
Blankenship | 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R
Sam Gress | 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 47 pitches
Team Accomplishments
- First NCAA Regional appearance
- First NCAA Tournament win
- First NCAA Regional final appearance
- Was one of the last 32 teams remaining in NCAA Tournament
- Was one of five non-Power Four teams remaining in NCAA Tournament
- First ASUN regular season & tournament championships
- Program record in total wins (47)
