FLORENCE, Ala. (April 6, 2024) – Despite five scoreless innings to open both games of a home doubleheader, the University of North Alabama softball team was unable to finish both shutouts in a pair of losses to Florida Gulf Coast University on Saturday in Florence, Ala.

In a battle between two teams with the lowest ERAs in the Atlantic Sun Conference, the early frames lived up to the hype. A pair of sixth inning runs led FGCU to a 2-1 win in game one, while a six-run sixth inning propelled a 6-3 victory in the nightcap.

Sophomore Becca Benton hit her second homer of the season Saturday, snapping a six-game homer-less streak for UNA. Prior to those six games, UNA had a seven-game streak with at least one long ball and hit 13 over a nine-game stretch.

The Eagles improved to 26-13 overall and 9-2 in the ASUN, while the Lions dipped to 25-13 and 6-5, respectively. UNA has an opportunity to salvage the series tomorrow at 10 a.m.
 

Game 1 — FGCU 2, North Alabama 1

As many expected, the series opener was a low-scoring affair with pitching stalwarts Alivia Wilken and Angelina Bonilla in the circle. Both took scoreless outings into the sixth before both teams struck for runs.

With two outs, two-hole hitter Riley Oakes had an infield single to keep the inning alive for FGCU. This allowed Neely Peterson to hit a two-run homer in the next at-bat before Wilken could get the final out.

In the bottom half, UNA provided an answer. True freshman Briley Dover ripped a double to extend a long 16-game on-base streak to 17, then moved to third on a grounder by Lillyanna Cartee. This set up an RBI single by right fielder Jaiden Farnetti to make it 2-1.

Unfortunately for UNA, the rally ended with the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run on first base after Sydney Harris reached on a fielder's choice. Harris hit a slow-roller to second, where FGCU second baseman Tiffany Meek attempted a tag on Farnetti, but missed to put both runners on with two outs. A pop-up to Meek in the next at-bat ended the threat.

After Wilken took care of business in the seventh, the Lions really began to threat down to the final three outs. Back-to-back singles by veteran hitters Sidney Bevis and Hailey Jones put runners on the corners and nobody out. FGCU brought in Claire Maulding for the save situation, who was able to get three consecutive outs while keeping the tying run on third.

Despite the loss, UNA had a 6-5 advantage in the hit column, including two from Dover. The other hits came from Jones, Bevis, Farnetti and catcher Raegan Clem.

Fielding-wise, game one marked the 21st time this season UNA did not committed an error.

Pitchers of Record
W – Angelina Bonilla (10-3)
L – Alivia Wilken (11-6)
S – Claire Maulding (1)
 

Game 2 — FGCU 6, North Alabama 3

Pitching reigned supreme again in game two, as FGCU rolled with Maulding for the game two start after her save. The Lions chose to go with two-way player Cassidy Duskin, who had a perfect game going through four innings.

FGCU finally showed signs of life in the fifth with a leadoff single, but a strange double play turned by Dover, Clem and Cartee and a groundout to Dover stranded two in scoring position.

Prior to the fifth inning, the only hit for either team came off the bat of UNA's Clem.

The sixth inning is where things turned sour for the Lions, as FGCU strung together six runs. But things did not end there, as the Lions turned an inning-ending double play in the top of the seventh and sparked a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh.

That rally started with a triple by Dover, who now has an 18-game reached base streak. Senior Haven Kirby drove her in with an RBI double. Benton then pinch hit in the seven-spot, driving the first pitch she saw over the left field fence. Ahead 6-3, FGCU was able to get the final two outs to end the threat and win the series.

Pitchers of Record
W – Claire Maulding (7-5)
L –  Cassidy Duskin (9-6)
S – None
 

COMING UP NEXT

The Lions and Eagles wrap up in Florence at 10 a.m. Sunday.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.