The UNF softball team. Photo courtesy of UNF Athletics.                                                         After losing in ASUN tournament, the Ospreys 2016-2017 season comes to an end. Playing over 50 games, the Ospreys ended with a 31-27 record. Here is a look back on the season.

To hit off the season, the Ospreys played at the FAU Invitational. Playing five games within three days, the Ospreys had a tough schedule to play. Of the five games,the Ospreys had to battle the No. 23 ranked team in the nation, the FAU Owls, twice in one day.

Splitting the series 1-1 with the Owls, North Florida finished the invitational out with three losses and two wins.

Up next the Ospreys came home to host their very own Osprey Invitational. This time the team would up their games, playing six games in three days.

The Ospreys won the first four straight games in the match defeating Eastern Illinois, South Dakota State, Georgia State and Kansas. With a walk-off home run in the 10th inning, the Ospreys beat Kansas marking the first victory in program history.

To end out the invitational, North Florida finished with five wins and one loss.

Making their way to Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Ospreys fell to University of Alabama, the No. 10 team in the nation.

Trying to pick themselves up, UNF prepared to play five games at the Mississippi Invitational. After losing the first two game, North Florida were on a three-game losing streak. This streak came to an end when the Ospreys defeated Eastern Illinois 4-2 on Feb. 25.

Unfortunately UNF lost the last two games finishing the invitational with four losses and one win.

Hosting their second invitational of the season, the Ospreys faced four teams in two days and ended with two wins and two losses.

Up next UNF battled one of the hardest teams yet in the Florida State Seminoles, the No. 1 team in the nation, in a doubleheader. North Florida was defeated in both games but came back to win their next doubleheader against Columbia University.

With two back-to-back wins under their belt, the Ospreys had phenomenal success in the USF tournament. Beating all five of the teams they faced, North Florida had a seven-game win streak.

Keeping the good times going, UNF defeated Georgia Tech in a doubleheader pushing the win streak to nine games.

As all great things come to an end, UCF defeated the Ospreys to snap their nine-game win streak.  

Facing their first team in the ASUN conference, the Ospreys battle the FGCU Eagles in three straight games. The Ospreys were able to bring in wins for the first two games, while the Eagles took home the last game.

As the season continued, the Ospreys faced many different teams. Most of the team came from the ASUN, but a few others would not including the No. 3 team in the nation the Florida Gators, who defeated the Ospreys 5-1.

Entering the ASUN conference tournament, the Ospreys faced their rivals, the JU Dolphins, in the first game. The Ospreys defeated the Dolphins in an eight inning game. This marked the third time this season that the Ospreys defeated the Dolphins.

Next, they faced the Kennesaw State Owls, the No. 2 team in the ASUN. The Ospreys lost to the Owls and fell to the FGCU Eagles in the next game.

After these tough losses, the Ospreys concluded their season with three players graduating and multiple records broken in the season. These single season records include the most double plays (27), most assists (541), and most saves (6).

__

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].