All games will be streamed on ESPN+. We will be providing updates throughout the week on all the action in Jacksonville, so check back here for the updates every day this weekend.
Tuesday, Day One, May 10, 2022
Game 1: #6 Kennesaw State 3, #7 Stetson 2 (9 innings) (elimination game)
The Owls were able to move into the double-elimination tournament with a ninth-inning walk-off hit to defeat Stetson. Kennesaw State struck first with back to back RBI doubles in the fifth to claim a 2-0 advantage. The Hatters evened things up in the top of the seventh to send it to extra innings when Katie Greep collected the game-winner.
Game 2: #5 Jacksonville State 6, #8 Lipscomb 5 (10 innings) (elimination game)
JSU overcame a pair of two-run deficits to win its first ASUN Championship game since its return to the league. They capped the 10-inning affair with a Karsen Mosley bomb to left field, defeating Lipscomb in the play-in game. The Gamecocks trailed 3-1 and were down to their last strike in the bottom of the seventh before a two-run single by Addie Robinson tied the game and sent it to extra innings. The Bisons went back in front, 5-3, with a two-run triple in the night inning. JSU responded with back to back home runs in the bottom half of the ninth to tie the game once again before the 10th inning walk-off.
Wednesday, Day Two, May 11, 2022
Game 3: #3 North Florida 4, #6 Kennesaw State 1
The Ospreys used three runs in the 5th inning to break a 1-1 tie and take control of the game. They would maintain that lead to pick up the win over the Owls.
Game 4: #4 North Alabama 6, #5 Jacksonville State 3
The Lions entered the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied, but they would end the game before it went to extra innings. North Alabama got a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the win over the Gamecocks.
Thursday, Day Three, May 12, 2022
Game 5: #3 North Florida 5, #2 Central Arkansas 3 (8 innings)
For the third time in five games to begin the ASUN Tournament a game went to extra innings as the home standing UNF Ospreys outlasted Central Arkansas 5-3 in 8 innings. This game also marked the fourth time in the first five ASUN Tournament games that a team won the game in their final at bat.
The two teams exchanged runs throughout the first part of the game, with Central Arkansas tying it at 3 in the bottom of the fifth. In the top of the 8th, UNF had a player reach with one out on an error and advanced to second. A single would move the runner to third. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs, the Ospreys got a two-run single to take the lead and eventually the win, 5-3.
Game 6: #1 Liberty 6, #4 North Alabama 4
North Alabama took the early lead, scoring a run in the top of the first inning, but Liberty starting pitcher would hold the Lions’ bats in check from then until the seventh inning.
With UNA leading 1-0, the Lady Flames quickly responded to tie things up in the home half of the first. A two-out triple by Kara Canetto got things started and then a Lou Allan infield single scored the Liberty left fielder. In the bottom of the third, the Flames again did damage with two outs. Caroline Hudson had a two-out double, then Canetto and Allan followed with RBI hits to give Liberty the 3-1 lead. Liberty added three insurance runs in the sixth.
The Lions would do some damage in the seventh, trailing 6-1 entering the inning. UNA chased Keeney and scored three runs after Emily Kirby entered the game. Facing a 3-0 count and runners on the corners with two outs, Coach Dot Richardson went to Megan Johnson. The batter would walk to load the bases on Johnson’s first pitch, but she would record the final out without allowing any further damage.
Liberty batters 2-5 in the lineup combined for 8 of the team’s 10 hits on the day. Hudson was 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Canetto hit safely in three of her four at bats with a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI. Allan was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs on the day, and Mary Claire Wilson was 1 for 3 on the afternoon and scored a run.
Game 7: #6 Kennesaw State 14, #5 Jacksonville State 4 (6 innings) (elimination game)
The Owls continue their hot play as they eliminate the Gamecocks on Thursday evening. KSU had back to back home runs in the top of the first and pushed their lead out to 14-0 in the sixth inning. Jacksonville State went down swinging, scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth before being eliminated. Kennesaw State has now won 9 of their past 10 games.
Game 8: #2 Central Arkansas 7, #4 North Alabama 3 (elimination game)
The two teams exchanged the lead several times in the opening innings before the Bears took control. UCA struck first in the bottom of the first with two runs. North Alabama answered with three in the top of the second to take the lead before Central Arkansas responded with a three-run home run in the bottom of the third. UCA would add two more in the fourth to provide cushion heading into the late innings.
Friday, Day Four, May 13, 2022
Game 9: #1 Liberty 9, #3 North Florida 1 (6 innings)
The Lady Flames wasted little time flexing their muscles against the home-standing Ospreys. Liberty plated four runs in the first inning on three hits to seize a commanding 4-0 lead. Paige Bachman led off the second inning with a blast to left field that cleared the fence with no trouble to push the Liberty lead to 5-0. The Flames would continue to do damage in the second, putting four runs on the board for a second straight inning as the lead ballooned to 8-0.
With ASUN Pitcher of the Year Emily Kirby in the circle, that would be all the damage the Lady Flames needed. She pitched into the 5th inning before allowing a run, finishing the day with 4.1 innings pitched while surrendering 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 2. Karlie Keeney came on in relief of Kirby to retire the final two outs of the 5th and pitch the 6th, as well. Keeney did not allow a hit and struck out two in 1.2 innings piched.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lou Allan doubled and Mary Claire Wilson hit a walk-off RBI single that scored the pinch runner Lilly Heidorn as the Lady Flames run-ruled the Ospreys.
Liberty advances to Saturday’s championship game and are just one win away from a second straight ASUN title. Whoever advances to Saturday to join the Lady Flames, would have to beat Liberty twice to earn the championship.
Game 10: #2 Central Arkansas 5, #6 Kennesaw State 1 (elimination game)
After lightning delayed the start of the game, Central Arkansas jumped on top with three runs in the first and two more in the second as they grabbed an early 5-0 lead. The Owls added a run in the sixth, but it was not enough as they were eliminated with the loss.
Game 11: #3 North Florida 3, #2 Central Arkansas 1 (elimination game)
In a rematch from their earlier game, North Florida was once again able to take care of Central Arkansas, this time in an elimination game with a spot in the championship game waiting. The Bears took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, and held that score until the top of the 5th when the Ospreys plated three to take the lead by the final margin of 3-1. Liberty and North Florida will meet for the 5th time this season at UNF’s stadium but this time with a championship on the line.
