VIERA, Fla. (March 16, 2024) – Florida National University (17-16) completed its stay at the 2024 Space Coast Games with a 7-7 record, ending its final day with two losses to Aquinas College (16-4). Florida National came into March 16’s doubleheader with a split afternoon the previous day, defeating the NCAA DIII Fitchburg State University Falcons but falling short to the University of Northwestern Ohio 3-1.
In game one, AC got to a 3-0 lead to start the game on an RBI hit from Katie Carlson and a double from Alexa Kownacki. Courtney Hardin doubled AC’s lead in the on a three-score double in the fourth. FNU got on the board in the same frame, thanks to a double to center field from Gabi Obando that scored Yleisha Perez. Madison Chiudina went on to execute a textbook sacrifice fly to run in Obando for the final FNU score of the contest.
FNU ended game one with seven hits and no errors while Aquinas posted ten hits and one error.
Game two of the doubleheader saw FNU get off to a promising start with singles from Esquibel and Obando. Efficient and precise fielding, however, kept FNU off the board. But FNU didn’t wait long for its first score, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI single off Obando’s bat.
AC battled its way back in the fourth, taking a 3-1 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from McKayla Mott and two RBI singles courtesy of Jessica Dobias and Kaelyn Stafford. Obando continued to make timely plays, recording a run off a single from freshman and designated player Madison Sanchez, tying the game.
AC did a solid job denying FNU in the top of the seventh and were able to place themselves in a great position their next time in the batter’s box. Kaelyn Stafford did most of the heavy lifting in the frame, getting a walk and stealing second. Leah Vaughan was able to get on first thanks to FNU’s first and only error of the game, buying enough time for Stafford to score the winning run.
AC’s walkoff win included five hits and FNU posted nine.
Up Next: FNU hosts St. Ambrose University in Weston, Fla., March 22, starting at noon.
