JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A jammed packed day of action continued at the 2026 ASUN Softball Championship as Central Arkansas and Stetson advanced in bracket play while North Florida kept its postseason hopes alive with a crucial win over North Alabama in the elimination game of the day.
Game One: #1 Central Arkansas (8) vs. #4 Jacksonville (0) 6 INN.
The No. 1 overall seed Central Arkansas flexed their muscles in its first game of the ASUN Softball Championship cruising to an 8-0 win over Jacksonville in the first game of day three.
The Bears offense took off in the bottom of the second inning that started with a bases loaded double from Renee Christian to bring in two runs. On the very next batter, Addie Graham cleared the diamond when she got every piece of the ball that left the field to make it a 5-0 game.
It was all Central Arkansas from there as the Bears added in three runs in the bottom of the third inning when Gracie St. Hilaire hit a rocket to third base that allowed Sydney Kildow to score. UCA added two more runs when Grace Molitor doubled down the right field line that brought St. Hilaire and LJ Smith across the plate for the 8-0 lead and eventual win.
The most notable performance of the game came from Bailie Runner in the circle and her defense; Runner pitched a 5.0 one-hit shutout while striking out three.
Central Arkansas will take on Stetson on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
Game Two: #2 Stetson (4) vs. #7 North Florida (2)
Stetson took a 4-2 win over North Florida in game two of the day to advance through the top portion of the bracket.
In the second inning, Madelyn Synoracki sent a ball into left field that allowed Nadia English and Gabby David to round the bases and score. The Hatters added another run in the bottom of the third after David drew a bases loaded walk to make it a 3-0 game.
The Player and Offensive Player of the Year, Nicole Edmiaston, brought in an insurance run for Stetson in the bottom of the fourth with a line drive to the wall in right-center field to send Synoracki to home plate for the four run lead.
North Florida got an offensive boost in the top of the fifth when Addyson Bruneman knocked a two-run home run over the center field fence to cut into Stetson’s lead. The Hatters’ defense held steady as they claimed the 4-2 win.
Ava Braswell got her 18th win of the season after going 4.1 innings while Hayley Arnold picked up the save after 2.2 innings of hitless work.
Stetson will face No. 1 Central Arkansas beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Friday.
Game Three: #3 North Alabama (0) vs. #7 North Florida (1)
In the elimination game of the day, North Florida claimed the 1-0 win to stay alive and advance to Friday action.
In the top of the first inning, the Ospreys’ Bella Cimino connected for a solo shot over the left field fence to give North Florida the early lead. With the lead, the UNF defense and pitcher Cameron Ponich held North Alabama hitless until the third inning with Gyven Hammons hit a line drive down the right field line to reach base.
Holding on to their one run lead, the Ospreys kept the Lions to just their one hit and a fielder’s choice before heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
After Holly Merritt singled to left field, which Katie Davis came in to pinch run for, Jenna Madison hit a line drive through the left side. Davis was waved home where Kalyn McCarthy threw a dart to Addyson Bruneman for the tag and the win.
Ponich got the win going a full 7.0 innings while allowing just three hits and striking out four.
North Florida will rumble with Jacksonville on Friday at 2:30 p.m. for an elimination game.
All games of the 2026 ASUN Softball Championship can be viewed on ESPN+.