Central Arkansas and Stetson won their opening games in the ASUN softball tournament, advancing to the winner's bracket final. Central Arkansas defeated Jacksonville University 8-0, while Stetson triumphed over North Florida 4-2.
JACKSONVILLE | The ASUNâs two softball heavyweights have set a date, and they did it at the expense of the conferenceâs two Jacksonville-based universities.
No. 1-seeded Central Arkansas and No. 2 Stetson both won their first ASUN Tournament games on May 7 at the University of North Floridaâs Softball Complex and will play in the winnerâs bracket final on May 8Â at noon.
Stetson first baseman Nicole Edmiaston was 2 for 2 and relief pitcher Hayley Arnold threw 2.2 hitless innings in a 4-2 victory over North Florida and UCAâs Addie Graham slammed a three-run homer during a five-run second inning and the Sugar Bears went on to run-rule Jacksonville University 8-0 in five innings.
University of North Florida third baseman Hannah Davila (27) and second baseman Kelsey Vogel
Stetson (34-20) and Central Arkansas (35-18-1) last played in the 2025 ASUN Tournament in Oxford, Ala., with the Hatters winning 10-1. The Bears won three regular-season matchups versus the Hatters before that.
Stetson leads the ASUN in team batting average (.315) and Central Arkansas (.312) is second. UCA leads in runs per game (6.12) and Stetson (6.1) is second.
Seventh-seeded UNF (38-21) played No. 3 North Alabama (36-15) in an elimination game after its loss to Stetson. JU (34-19) faces the UNF-North Alabama winner on May 8 at 2:30 p.m.
Stetson took a 2-0 lead in the second when Gabby David walked, Nadia English singled and UNF left fielder Hallie Langford misplayed Madelyn Synorackiâs single into a two-base error.
The Hatters scored in the third inning when David drew a bases-loaded walk and added another run in the fourth when Synoracki singled, went to second on Gia Napoliâs sacrifice and scored on Edmiastonâs single.
Central Arkansas and Stetson are competing in the ASUN softball tournament finals.
The winner's bracket final for the ASUN softball tournament is scheduled for May 8 at noon.
Central Arkansas won their ASUN tournament game against Jacksonville University with a score of 8-0.
Nicole Edmiaston from Stetson went 2 for 2, and Addie Graham from Central Arkansas hit a three-run homer.
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Starting pitcher Ava Braswell (18-10) was relieved by Arnold after UNFâs Addyson Bruneman hit her second homer of the tournament with one out and Hannah Davila aboard in the fifth. After Kalyn McCarthy singled, Arnold entered the circle and got the final two outs of the inning on a fielderâs choice grounder and fly ball.
Arnold allowed only two baserunners, both walks, to get her second save of the season.
UNF pitcher Taylor Cook (9-6), who had won the first two games of the tournament for the Ospreys, gave up five hits and three walks in 2.2 innings.
Central Arkansas pitcher Bailey Runner was one out away from the first no-hitter in the ASUN since 2022 before the Dolphinsâ Emma Mansfield broke it up in the fifth on a single down the line in left. Runner faced the minimum over the first 4.2 innings, with JUâs only baserunner over that span coming when Runner hit Tatum McCool with a pitch to lead off the third.
Jacksonville University softball players huddle before their ASUN Tournament game on May 7 against North Alabama at the University of North Florida Softball Complex.
Runner got Vic Brunette to bounce back to her, starting a double play.
In addition to Addisonâs homer, her fifth of the season, Renee Christian and Grace Molitor each had two-run doubles.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Stetson, UCA win ASUN softball games to set up battle of unbeatens