UNF Softball wins first-ever ASUN Championship Title in program history
For the first time in program history, The University of North Florida softball is the ASUN Conference Champion. The No. 1-seeded Ospreys capped off a thrilling tournament run with a 5-4 win over No. 2-seeded Eastern Kentucky on Saturday evening at Choccolocco Park, earning the ASUN Championship trophy and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Senior Allison Benning was named ASUN Tournament MVP after a dominant week on the field, while teammates Kirsten Caravaca, Lauren Brock and Kylah Berry were named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team for their standout performances.
UNF showed resilience and grit, battling through weather delays and multiple early deficits to come out on top. After EKU scored in the first inning, Caravaca immediately answered with an RBI triple, bringing Benning home from first base. When EKU pulled ahead again, Addyson Bruneman doubled to right center to tie the game once again scoring Grace-Shaw Rockey.
In the fifth inning, Hadlee Reichert delivered a crucial RBI double, sparking a three-run frame that would prove to be the game-winner. Kalyn McCarthy and Lauren Brock each added RBI singles to extend UNF’s lead. Kylah Berry came in relief for Benning in a one-run game to pitch 1.1 innings and secure her sixth save of the season for a conference championship title.
After the ASUN trophy was secured, UNF softball officially earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth on Sunday and will compete in the Columbia Regional, hosted by South Caroline from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18 at Carolina Softball Stadium. The Ospreys join South Carolina, Virginia and Elon as the No. 3 seed in their debut regional appearance.
The first game of the regional weekend will take place on Friday, May 16 against No. 2-seeded Virginia, with the first pitch set for 3 p.m., in Columbia, South Carolina. It will be a double-elimination bracket with the second set of games played on Saturday, May 17 followed by the regional final on Sunday, May 18, broadcast on ESPN2.