FNU softball final graphic. (03-11-23)
(Box Score)
VIERA, Fla. (March 11, 2023) – Florida National University’s softball team survived another drag-out battle in Viera, Fla., as they handed the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles a 4-3 loss Saturday. The Conquistadors came into this 2 p.m. rematch fresh off a 3-2 win over Lourdes University. Cornerstone had previously suffered a loss at the hands of the Conquistadors, falling 2-1 on March 6.
The Conquistadors got on the board first after Yleisha Perez scored on a fielder’s choice courtesy of Janessa Esquibel. Esquibel would score a few plays later on a single from hitting specialist Bailey Fernandez. Tara McCaffery was flied out to center field to bring to an end a two-run, two-hit inning for FNU.
Cornerstone tied up the game at the top of the third on an RBI single and triple. With the score at a standstill, both teams entered the eighth looking to close out the contest. Cornerstone got a much-needed run to take a 3-2 lead before Perez scored on a sac fly from Esquibel to tie it up heading into the ninth.
FNU’s defense and fielding did just enough to keep the Eagles scoreless and a double from Jordan Bohn to centerfield pushed Ana De Oliveira Obando to home for the unearned game-clinching run.
Pitchers Jona Goolsby and Dakota Kulis combined for two walks and three strikeouts on the day. The Eagles and FNU had five hits while Cornerstone earned the lone error for the afternoon.
Up Next: FNU closes out week two in Viera, Fla., tomorrow starting at 11:30 a.m. versus Indiana Tech.
