VIERA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2024) - Florida National University (11-10) claimed another split afternoon of competition in its first week at the Space Coast Games in Viera Beach, Fla. FNU faced tough opponents fresh off a solid sweep of New College of Florida the previous day. Goshen College (9-2) grabbed a 5-2 win over the Conquistadors and FNU bounced back for a shutout 2-0 win over The University of Michigan-Dearborn (0-6) to end the first of two days at the USSA Space Coast Complex. 

Florida National fell behind early in game one 2-0 thanks to an RBI single from Goshen's Olivia Gibson and a stellar play from Gibson to steal home later on in the inning. After a scoreless second and third frame, Emma Edwards tripled to left field and later scored on a single from veteran outfielder Sydni Bigelli. With the score standing at 2-1, Edwards broke through again on an RBI double, running in Ana "Gabi" De Oliveira Obando in the top of the fifth to tie the game. 

Goshen came back in the sixth for an impressive three-run, four-hit inning. GC posted RBI singles from Kaylee Kates and Grace Schmitt. FNU was unable to answer in the top of the seventh, as Goshen got the win on three quick outs.

FNU, contest versus UM-Dearborne saw the Conquistadors held without a score in the first inning despite hits from Edwards and Heather Cuddy. Bianca Bartow doubled in the second as FNU's Janessa Esquibel also got on board with a single. UM-Dearborn held off an FNU score, retiring the side on a pop-up to second base by Edwards. 

FNU finally broke through in the fourth inning on RBI singles from outfielder Sabrina Castelli and Tara McCaffery. FNU did a stellar job of keeping UM-Dearborn off the board, allowing just one hit through the next three innings. In the bottom of the seventh, Lindsay Marlewitz doubled to left field before FNU posted outs on Paige Maltby and Makaila Cooper to end the game. 

Up Next: The Conquistadors finish out their time in Viera Beach, Fla., with a morning rematch versus UM-Dearborn.