(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
VIERA, Fla. (March 8, 2024) – Florida National University (14-11) completed a perfect day one at the Space Coast Games in Viera, Fla., following a 3-1 win versus Lawrence Technological University (9-13) and a 4-0 victory over the NAIA’s No.24-ranked Concordia University Cardinals (17-6). This was FNU’s second win over a ranked opponent, the first coming against the then No. 22-ranked Southeastern University Fire on Feb. 16.
Game one saw FNU score on a costly error from LTU’s third baseman that moved Alyssa Songer to second and scored Sabrina Castelli. The Blue Devils ended the inning on a pop-up by Gabi Obando to the first baseman. Later on, LTU tied the game in the third on an RBI single from Chloe Hug to centerfield, scoring Abby Gardner. FNU posted four hits and held LTU to just two heading into the top of the seventh.
FNU took a two-score lead in the frame thanks to an Alexis Lendo score off a stolen base at third and an error by Lawrence Tech’s second baseman that bought time for her to slide home. Obando made it home in the frame as well, thanks to a single from pitcher Sophia White. LTU was able to place Nicole Powrozek first off an error from FNU’s first baseman in the seventh, but FNU recovered with three straight putouts to end the game.
Using the momentum from game one, giving up one hit through three innings and taking a 2-0 lead at the bottom of the third. Yleisha Perez got things started with a middle, which caused some difficulty for Concordia’s fielding. Ciara Santiago used a muffed throw from the catcher at the end of the play for the first score of the contest. Perez later made her way back to home plate thanks to a base hit from Heather Cuddy.
Still hitless in the fourth, the Cardinals allowed an RBI single from Esquibel and a sacrifice fly from Perez to fall into a 4-0 deficit. FNU posted a quick three and out in the fifth, and despite giving up back-to-back hits to Summer Brady and Shannon McAlinden, FNU still denied CU a score. White showed great poise in the circle, ending the game with two strikeouts and one walk.
White’s brilliance was on display at the very end of the game, claiming one of those two strikeouts on CU’s Kaleigh McClelland to end the contest.
Up Next: FNU takes on another doubleheader in Viera, Fla., on March 9.
