OXFORD, Ala. - The North Florida Ospreys made an appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Softball Championship Final for the fourth time in program history, earning their first title after defeating the EKU Colonels, 5-4, inside Choccolocco Park. 

Maddi Rutan got the scoring going in the top of the first inning with an RBI single for the Colonels. She hit a ball that brought Jaelin Haynes across homeplate from third base. In the bottom of the first, Kirsten Caravaca tripled to right-center allowing Allison Benning to come home and tie the game for UNF.

EKU pulled ahead 2-1 in the top of the fourth after an inside-the-park home run from Jada McLeod. After a 27-minute weather delay, the Ospreys again found an answer in the bottom of the fourth inning, this time with an RBI double from Addyson Bruneman. A double to center field from Hadlee Reichert gave UNF its first lead of the contest with Caravaca scoring a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kalyn McCarthy and Lauren Brock delivered two more RBIs to give the Ospreys a 5-3 lead heading to the sixth.

Lilly Davis trimmed the Colonels' deficit to one run after she sent a double to left field that allowed McLeod and Rutan to cross home. In the bottom of the sixth, EKU brought Lauren Narvaez into the circle to relieve Rutan. The senior retired the side in order to give the Colonels a chance to tie or take the lead in the seventh.

Makayla Mathis flied out to center field to open the seventh inning before a Haynes single put the scoring run on base for EKU. Reese Knox struck out swinging to put UNF one out away from victory. Rutan fouled out and the Ospreys secured the program's first tournament title.

All-Tournament Team
Allison Benning, North Florida (MVP)
Kylah Berry, North Florida
Lauren Brock, North Florida
Kirsten Caravaca, North Florida
Jaelin Haynes, EKU
Lauren Narvaez, EKU
Madi Rutan, EKU
Addison Foster, Stetson 
Irianis Garcia, Stetson 
Sam Leski, Austin Peay 
Emily Chiarella, FGCU