GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of North Dakota softball team battled pitch-for-pitch with the No. 5-ranked Gators, but a four-run first inning proved to be the difference in a 7-1 Florida win on Wednesday evening from KSP Stadium in Gainesville.
UND (8-14) held one of the nation's top offense to just three earned runs, with all four in the first frame coming following an error that allowed the inning to continue. The offense provided five hits for the Fighting Hawks, including a leadoff hit in each of the first three innings, but the visitors stranded five on the basepaths in the loss.
Jannay Jones earned the start in the circle and provided 2.1 frames of four-hit, five-run ball. The junior saw only one of her runs register on her ERA, as she bounced back from a tough first inning to hold the Gators to just two hits following.
Lauren Feld, fresh off a solid performance against the No. 18 Georgia Bulldogs, finished out the game with 3.2 innings and allowed only two runs on two hits and struck out one. A costly error in the bottom of the first and six walks by Fighting Hawk pitching proved to be the difference in a game that appeared much closer than the scoreboard read.
Madison Pederson led the way offensively for the Hawks with another two-hit performance, picking up a single and a double, while
Caitlyn Shumaker also recorded an extra base hit with a two-bagger and came around the score the lone run of the game for the visitors on an error by the Gators.
Alexys Campos also had a hit from the top spot in the order to begin the game, marking the 10th straight game with a hit for the sophomore.
Florida took advantage of a mistake in the first inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead, as a throwing error with two outs allowed the inning to continue before a walk and grand slam followed to put the Gators in front early. UND threatened in both the top of the second and third by putting runners in scoring position, but could not make a dent into the deficit, as the hosts carried a 5-0 lead into the top of the fourth.
In the frame, it was UND who jumped on an opportunity given to them, with Shumaker lacing a double to right center followed by a walk to
Ashlynn Uvila put runners on first and second with two outs.
Jocelyn Kirk hit a sharp grounder to third that was bobbled and then dropped on the catch at first to allow Shumaker to score and cut the lead to 5-1.
Izzy Haslett nearly trimmed the lead to one with a deep drive to right in the next at-bat, but she just missed a home run and the threat ended.
A pair of walks, stolen bases, RBI single and sacrifice fly helped the Gators respond with two of their own in the home half of the fourth, but the UND pitching and defense kept the Gators off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game in a 7-1 final.
North Dakota will close out its long road stretch in the Gulf against South Florida in a three-game series beginning on Friday at 2 p.m. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+.
