(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
VIERA, Fla. (March 10, 2024) – Florida National University (16-13) went 1-1 on its final day of week two in Viera, Fla. FNU held on for a 4-3 win in extra innings opposite Indiana University South Bend (3-10) but fell short of a victory versus Indiana Institute of Technology (10-2) 5-2.
Game one saw FNU held hitless through the first two innings. Conquistador Alyssa Songer was the first FNU player to get on base with a single before IUSB ended the frame with three quick outs in the third. In the bottom of the fourth, FNU got its first run on the board thanks to a single from Sabrina Castelli that scored Emma Edwards. Tara McCaffery was the next Conquistador to make it safely to home plate, following a groundout to second from Madison Chiudina.Â
After holding IUSB scoreless in the top of the fifth, FNU’s Gabi Obando made it a 3-0 affair after nailing a single that advanced Janessa Esquibel to third and scored Bianca Bartow. A scoreless sixth for both teams set the stakes at an all-time high in the top of the seventh, when IUSB delivered a three-run inning to send the game to extra frames. Danielle Gebhart and Taylor Larson each recorded RBI singles to level the contest as FNU could not generate a timely score in the bottom of the inning.
After taking care of business at the top of the eighth, FNU was able to take home the walk-off win thanks to an RBI single from McCaffery which scored a waiting Yleisha Perez on board at second.Â
Game two saw FNU take on a tough team, with Indiana Institute of Technology previously receiving votes in the NAIA’s Coaches’ Poll. Tech posted seven hits and no errors while FNU had six hits.Â
Up Next: Softball’s final week in Viera, Fla., kicks off with a 2:20 p.m. contest against Fitchburg State on March 14.
