CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of West Florida softball team split opening day of the Eckerd College Invitational in Clearwater, Florida. The Argonauts (1-1, 0-0 GSC) fell to Florida Southern College 6-3 in game one, but then defeated Lynn University 5-2 in game two.
"Overall it was a good start," said head coach
Melissa Paul. "We moved runners and put the ball in play. Both of our pitchers had good outings and freshman
Meghan Toney made some great defensive plays today."
In two games, junior
Emily Pettigrew (Navarre, Fla./Pensacola State College) went 5-for-7 with two stolen bases to lead West Florida.
Game 1: West Florida 3, Florida Southern 6 The Argos and the Mocs were locked in a pitcher's duel early on in the game and West Florida led FSC 1-0 until the third inning when Florida Southern tied the game at one. Both teams wouldn't score again until the fifth inning when UWF added one run but FSC responded with a two run bottom half of the inning.
The Mocs then took charge of the game by scoring three runs in the sixth while UWF added one run in the seventh to close out the game.
Newcomer
Kalyn Chapman (Boonville, Ind./Wabash Valley JC) pitched 5.2 innings for UWF and gave up 10 hits, four earned runs and struck out six batters.
Game 2: West Florida 5, Lynn 2 West Florida used good hitting and solid base running to defeat Lynn in game two of the Eckerd College Invitational 5-2 Friday night. Both teams scored one run in the first inning and then responded in the third inning with one run each to tie it at 2-2. UWF would then score three unanswered runs in the remaining innings to take the 5-2 victory over the south region opponent.
Freshman pitcher
Sarah Maloney (Tamarac, Fla./Cypress Bay HS) dominated the circle for UWF going all seven innings and only allowing two earned runs on three hits while also striking out six batters.
Lou Barnard (Apopka, Fla./Lake-Sumter State College) batted in three runners during the game and went 1-for-2 at the plate.
"Sarah did a tremendous job stepping in as a freshman to get our first win," continued Paul. "She mixed sppeds well and hit her spots, she's a competitor and will only get better."
West Florida will continue play in the Eckerd College Invitational tomorrow when they face Florida Tech and Saint Leo.
For information on all UWF athletics, visit
www.GoArgos.com.
