5 Things You May Have Missed in College Softball Friday
Hofstra Stuns No. 25 Florida Gulf Coast and No. 12 Florida State
The Hofstra Softball team picked up a pair of statement wins on the first day of the Florida State Unconquered Invitational, topping previously unbeaten Florida Gulf Coast, 2-1, before taking down No. 13 Florida State, 1-0, in 10 innings. The Pride improved to 10-4 on the season as Hofstra’s pitching tandem of freshman Sophie Dandola and sophomore Sarah Cornell did not allow an earned run on the day. The win over the Seminoles was Head Coach Larissa Anderson’s third victory over a ranked opponent since taking over in 2015. Hofstra’s last win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 10 James Madison on March 26, 2017. The Pride return to the diamond on Saturday and will face No. 7 Oregon and Florida State again.
James Madison Defeats No. 15 California
The JMU softball team used two home runs in the top of the seventh from sophomore Kate Gordon and senior Ashley Samuels to defeat No. 15 California 5-1 at the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday afternoon. The Dukes (10-2) scored four runs in the top of the seventh to win the game. Payton Buresch was solid in the circle. The freshman tossed a complete game, only allowing one run on four hits while striking out one to improve her overall record to 5-1 on the season. JMU defeated UTEP 6-0 in game two on Friday night.
Ball State Pitcher Tosses No-Hitter
Cardinal pitcher Aeshia Miles threw her first career no-hitter on Friday night and led the Ball State softball team to an 8-0 (6 innings) win over Robert Morris on the opening day of the Citrus Classic II at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Miles retired the first 14 batters she faced before issuing a walk, the only base runner of the game for the Colonials. The junior struck out five batters over six innings of work and logged one putout and four assists on defense.
Michigan Tops No. 3 Baylor and No. 17 Louisiana
The University of Michigan softball team used early and timely hitting to earn a pair of Top-20 victories on the second day of the annual Judi Garman Classic. Michigan defeated No. 3 Baylor 6-3 and No. 17 Louisiana Lafayette 3-1 on Friday at Cal State Fullerton’s Anderson Family Field. The Michigan offense posted 19 hits on the day, including eight for extra bases. 12 of the hits recorded were against the previously unbeaten Bears. Freshman pitcher Meghan Beaubien earned the complete-game win against Baylor as well as the save against Louisiana. Beaubien had six strikeouts and five hits allowed through eight total innings. Michigan wraps up the Judi Garman Classic on Saturday and will take on Cal Poly at 11:30 a.m. CT.
Utah Earns Win Over No. 6 Texas A&M
The Utah softball team defeated the host, and No. 6 ranked Aggies 8-7 on Friday night at the Texas A&M Tournament. Kelly Martinez led the offense for the Utes and went 4-for4 at the plate, scored a pair of runs, and drove in three. Katie Donovan threw a season-high 125 pitches and improved to 4-1 and earning the victory. Miranda Viramontes notched her first save of the season and fourth of her career after recording the final out of the exciting matchup. The Utes are back in action on Saturday with a doubleheader against the Aggies and Louisiana Tech.
Bonus
No. 2 Washington Shuts out No. 8 Alabama
The Huskies came out and removed any doubt as to why they are undefeated on the season cruising to an 8-0 win over No. 8 Alabama. Most of us expected to see a lower scoring game when the Tide sent out staff ace Alexis Osorio (3-2). That is not what happened. Washington was able to chase her out of the game after just three innings with eight hit and seven runs. The Huskies were led by Sis Bates who went 3-4 with a double and a home run resulting in three RBI’s and three runs. In the circle, Gabbie Plain (6-0) pretty much shut the Tide offense down allowing just two hits while striking out four. The two will meet again tonight, but based on what we saw yesterday, the Tide will have their hands full.
