CCU

Softball Falls to No.2 Florida 8-0 in Five Innings

           

Softball Falls to No.2 Florida 8-0 in Five Innings

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GAINESVILLE, FLA.- The Coastal Carolina University softball team wrapped up day one of the Lipton Invitational hosted by the University of Florida Feb. 13 with an 8-0 five-inning loss to the host institution, the No. 2 ranked Florida Gators.

Florida, playing as a visitor on their home field, scratched across a pair of runs in the top of the first. The squad jumped out to the early 2-0 lead on Kim Walezonia's RBI triple and a Francesca Enea sacrifice fly.

In the bottom half of the first, freshman Sarah Maples (Pasadena, Texas/Deer Park) reached on an error. However, Maples was stranded at first after Brittany Birnbaum (Chino Hills, Calif./Ayala) fflied to center field and a Michelle Evans (Upland, Calif./Upland) strikeout. 

Corrine Books doubled in the top of the second, and was followed up by a Kristine Priebe two-run home run to extend the Gator lead to 4-0. Florida would add two more runs to extend their lead to 6-0.

Freshman Ivy McCranie (Nashville, Ga./Berrien) relieved starter Katelin Edwards (Greer, S.C./Byrnes)(Newberry)) with no outs in the top of the third with runners on second and third base. McCranie looked like she worked her way out of the jam, but two costly Chant errors gave the Gators two additional runs to extend their lead to the final score of 8-0. The freshman eventually went on to strikeout Waleszonia to end the inning.

McCranie would retire the side in order in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Birnbaum would reach on an error with one out. After an Evans strikeout, freshman Stacy Snellings (Richmond, Va./Godwin) drew a walk, but pinch hitter Morgan Dodd (Chattanooga, Tenn./Girls Preparatory) grounded out to the third baseman to end the threat.

McCranie would throw three innings of hitless ball and strike out three Gators in the process.

Florida sophomore pitcher Stephanie Brombacher threw a five-inning no-hitter, striking out nine and walking one Chanticleer to improve to 3-0 on the year. In her career, the Gator hurler improves to 23-0. The no-hitter was the first for a Florida Gator since Feb. 19, 2006.

The Chants will next be in action tomorrow night at 5 p.m., as they will take the South Alabama Jaguars for the second time in as many days. Game two of the day will follow at 7:15 p.m. with a meeting against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.