It’s the climb: FNU softball sweeps NCF on Senior Day. (April 19, 2024)
(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
WESTON, Fla. (April 19, 2024) – Miley Cyrus’ 2009 hit single ‘The Climb’ echoed field three at Vista Park in Weston, Fla. Five Florida National University’s softball (19-18) seniors lead their team along the entire diamond to cap off a stellar senior day ceremony. FNU’s 2024 senior class includes veteran players Madison (MJ) Chiudina, Jona Goolsby, Ana (Gabi) De Oliveira Obando, Jordan Bohn and Sydni Bigelli. Once the festivities wrapped, the Conquistadors went on to sweep the New College of Florida Banyans (9-37) following a 5-4 10-inning win in game one and a 5-0 shutout in game two.
New College had a two-run lead to start game one after RBI doubles from Tiffany Lepic and Kira McDonough in the third and fourth innings. FNU finally got on the board to make its 2-2 game thanks to an RBI single from Jordan Bohn and Sabrina Castelli in the fifth. This opener remained a tied affair through the next two innings as both teams prepared for extra frames to decide a winner.
NCF got the lead in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Ella Kraszewski to score Lepic. FNU stayed alive in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a costly error from catcher McDonough. An errant throw allowed shortstop Tara Mccaffery to race safely to home as Janessa Esquibel advanced to second.
McDonough made up for her blunder in the top of the tenth, scoring a run thanks to a groundout by Carianne Maitland. FNU got the win thanks to a single from lefty Castelli that scored catcher Bianca Bartow to tie the contest and smart base running on a passed ball scored pinch runner Makayla Monckton for the game-ending lead. FNU posted eight hits in the win and held NCF to six.
Game two was a more dominant game for the Conquistadors, starting with a 1-0 lead in the first off an RBI single from Sophia White to run in Obando. Pinch runner Alexis Lendo was the next Conquistador to make it to home plate in the fifth, and FNU added three scores in the sixth to top off a very successful senior day. RBI singles from Alyssa Songer and Esquibel highlighted a strong closing frame for FNU, as the home team ended the game with seven hits.
Up Next: Softball has its two final doubleheaders of the 2024 regular season starting April 23, as No. 19 St. Thomas visits Vista Park.
