The UNF women’s softball team extended its winning streak to five games after knocking off Florida Gulf Coast twice in a doubleheader March 27.

The Ospreys’ success in Fort Meyers increased their season record to 17-18 overall and 3-1 in A-Sun play.

The first game was particularly strong due to senior Devyn Findley’s pitching performance. The Alachua native had 11 strikeouts and allowed one run in six hits.

During the bottom of the seventh inning down 2-0, FGCU tried to tie the game, loading the bases with two hits, a walk and an RBI walk bringing the game to within a run. But Findley made sure the team didn’t get those runs. The Eagles had two outs with the bases loaded, and Findley ended the game by striking out the Eagles’ shortstop for the second time in the match.

But the punishment against FGCU was not over yet. The Ospreys brought the thunder to FGCU once again during the more varied second game of the day.

The Ospreys switched it up, having sophomore Shaina Dent pitch at the start. Dent pitched for 4.2 innings, then Findley took over for the rest of the game. The Ospreys scored in the second inning, taking the lead early against FGCU.

This game was an important game for Dent, being that she recorded her first career hit to the first base side of the field.  

FGCU scored in the fifth inning and again in the sixth inning before the Ospreys kicked it into high gear. With Findley entering the bottom of the seventh inning and the game tied 2-2, she was able to hold off the Eagles to push the game into the eighth inning. This gave the Ospreys another chance to win.

Dent continued her great day by getting her first RBI in the top of the eighth with a triple to right center field, giving freshman outfielder Stephanie McAdam the chance to put the Ospreys up a run. The Ospreys scored again during the eighth inning, with Dent finishing the game three-for-four, with one RBI and a run scored. Dent’s run went on to seal the victory for the Ospreys.

Dent was excited to be able to pull a triple and an RBI. 

“I don’t think a lot of people were expecting it — I mean, myself included — because it’s been like two years since I actually hit live,” Dent said.

Dent was put at bat frequently during high school and it was nostalgic for her to be at the plate again. 

“It’s really really cool and weird at the same time to actually be able to hit again,” she said.

Coach Marcie Hickey commended the pitchers for their great job during the games. 

“Both of our pitchers threw the ball well and our hitters stepped up when the game was on the line,” Hickey said in a news release. “Shaina, as well as Devyn, helped us out offensively, especially with Shaina’s triple to score the go-ahead run.”

The Ospreys host Belmont University doubleheader Friday, April 2 at 3:00 p.m.