TROY, Ala. – University of North Florida softball held off a seventh-inning rally by Memphis on Sunday in order to top the Tigers 2-1 in a pitching duel on the final day of the Troy Subway Invitational at the Troy Softball Complex. The Ospreys finished the Troy Subway Invitational with a 4-1 record.
“Today was definitely a pitchers’ duel,” said head coach Marcie Hickey. “We took advantage of a walk and a hit by pitch and capitalized on Marissa’s double. Out defense did a really good job of keeping Memphis’ speed off the bases to seal the win.”
It looked like the first inning was going to be the determining factor for the second game in a row for the Ospreys. UNF scored both of its runs in the bottom of the first. With runners at first and second, Marissa Thomas drilled a one-out double down the right field line and brought home Danica Mandarano. A wild pitch allowed Mariah Reynolds to score from third and put UNF up 2-0.
Memphis began to rally in the seventh, leading off the inning with a Cierra Mangum single up the middle. A wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt allowed Mangum to reach third. With two outs, the Tigers took advantage of an Osprey throwing error that allowed Mangum to score and make it 2-1. However, Kaylie Wallace struck out the final batter in the next at-bat for the game’s final out.
Wallace received the win after striking out 10 and allowing no earned runs and three hits in 7.0 innings.
Ellen Roberts was credited with the loss, allowing two runs off two hits in 6.0 innings. Roberts also tallied five strikeouts.
Thomas and Kelly Wilson registered the Ospreys’ only hits.
Following Sunday’s final games, the All-Tournament Team was announced. Both Thomas and Cortney Radke landed spots on the All-Tournament Team. Thomas hit .467 over the weekend, going 7-for-15 with one double, one home run and four RBI. Radke registered a 0.60 ERA and had two wins, including a shutout win against Middle Tennessee. Radke struck out 19 batters in 15.0 innings of work.
UNF is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts UCF in its home opener. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., from the UNF Softball Complex. Admission to all UNF home softball games is free.
