NORTH FLORIDA TOSSES DOUBLE SHUTOUT AGAINST GSU SOFTBALL
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Two University of North Florida softball pitchers tossed complete-game shutouts to lead the Lady Ospreys to 4-0 and 1-0 wins over Georgia Southern Wednesday afternoon the UNF Softball Complex.
North Florida evens its record at 10-10 while Georgia Southern falls to 10-12.
Game 1: North Florida 4, Georgia Southern 0
UNF struck for a run in the second when Elizabeth Howell led off the inning with a single, was sacrificed to third and came home on a single by Kelli Rutenbar.
In the third, North Florida cushioned its lead with three runs, two off the bat of Howell, who hit a towering two-run shot to left-center.
UNF starter Katie Brosky (5-5) took a no-hitter into the seventh but allowed back-to-back singles to sophomore Robyne Siliga (Oceanside,
Calif.) and senior Maria Laurato (New Orleans, La.) to start the frame.
But Brosky pitched out of trouble to pick up the shutout.
Senior A.J. Street (Lilburn, Ga.) allowed six hits and four runs, all earned (1-4).
Game 2: North Florida 1, Georgia Southern 0
The Lady Ospreys manufactured their only run in the fourth inning. Gwen Williams led off with a walk, was sacrificed to second and went to third on a groundout. Lauren Pulling followed with a single through the left side to score Williams.
GSU starter Logan Free (Sandpoint, Idaho) gave up just two hits and struck out five but falls to 5-4. Devyn Findlay allowed five hits and three walks. She improves to 4-1.
Georgia Southern returns to action in a week, traveling to St. Mary’s
(Calif.) for a single game, followed by the Capital Classic that weekend.
Spartans Split Doubleheader with Radford
GREENSBORO, NC ? UNC Greensboro earned a split in a non-conference doubleheader with Radford Wednesday afternoon at UNCG Softball Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Highlanders 2-1 in the early game while Radford rallied for a 3-1 win to claim the split in the late game.
The Spartans (13-12) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly from Brittany Ausley that drove third baseman Kara Clouser home. The Highlanders managed to tie things up in top of the sixth inning by scoring one run on one hit. Radford opened with a leadoff single from Ashley Carlson, who was driven home three batters later when Cassie Rhodes grounded out to the shortstop.
Catcher Leslie Furness added what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth when she blasted her third home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage. Radford was able to load the bases in the seventh inning but UNCG pitcher Vanessa Oakes (6-2) was able to pitch out of the danger to give the Spartans their first win in their last four outings.
Oakes allowed one run on six hits over the distance. She walked one and had five strikeouts. Furness and Closer led UNCG by going 3-for-1at the plate. Both scored one run on one hit and Furness had one RBI.
Radford’s Ashley Taylor suffered the loss after allowing two runs on five hits in 6.0 innings. She walked two and had nine strikeouts. Ashley Carlson led the way for the Highlanders and finished 4-for-3 with a run scored to pace the Highlanders six hit offense.
In the nightcap, Radford jumped out to the early lead in the top of the third inning. The Highlanders opened the inning with a leadoff single from Michelle Carlson who moved to second on a stolen base. Ashley Carlson followed with a single to right field which put two runners on base. Michelle Carlson came around the bases on a wild pitch from Amber Harrell on the next play to give Radford the 1-0 advantage.
The Highlanders had back-to-back doubles in their next two at bats which drove in Ashley Carlson and Ashley Taylor to give Radford a 3-0 lead. The teams were scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning when Clouser hit her third home run of the season to put UNCG on the board but it the Spartans couldn’t mount a comeback as Lyndsay Mouse grounded out to third base to end the game.
Harrell (3-7) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits in 7.0 innings of work. Clouser led the way for the Spartans by finishing with one run on one hit and one RBI as the Spartans collected three hits.
Radford’s Bre Felix picked up the win after allowing one run on three hits over the distance. The Highlander pitcher also had 10 strikeouts.
The Spartans are next in action March 9-11 when they head to Rock Hill, SC for the adidas Invitational Tournament hosted by Winthrop. UNCG opens the tournament against Charleston Southern at Noon on Friday and takes on Providence at 4 pm.