Pridemore’s Gem Not Enough as Blue Devils Edged 1-0 in Extras by Florida National

VIERA WEST, Fla. — Lawrence Tech junior right-hander Natilee Pridemore turned in an eight-inning gem on Saturday afternoon, but the Blue Devils came up on the short end of a pitchers’ duel, falling 1-0 to Florida National in eight innings in Game 1 of a spring break doubleheader at the Space Coast Complex.

The game’s only run crossed in the top of the eighth, when Florida National’s Bianca Bartow delivered a run-scoring single to plate Alyssa Julien. The RBI knock broke a scoreless deadlock that had held through seven tense innings and proved to be the difference, as Lawrence Tech’s offense could not quite cash in on multiple opportunities despite out-hitting Florida National 9-6.

Pridemore was outstanding in the circle for the Blue Devils, going the distance in the extra-inning loss. The Woodhaven, Mich., native worked 8.0 innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out eight and walking only two on 125 pitches. She repeatedly pitched out of trouble, stranding 10 Florida National baserunners and keeping Lawrence Tech in position to win throughout the contest.

Lawrence Tech’s offense consistently applied pressure, collecting nine hits against Florida National starter Sophia White. Outfielder Alexis Lana led the Blue Devils at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 to pace a balanced lineup that saw several players reach base. Lawrence Tech put runners aboard in multiple innings and left nine on base overall, coming up just one timely hit short of breaking through in the low-scoring matchup.

Florida National’s biggest threats before extra innings came from Bartow and White on the offensive side. Bartow set the tone early with a double to left in the second inning, helping the Conquistadors generate a two-hit frame, and later capped her day with the decisive RBI single in the eighth to finish with three hits, including a double. White also helped her own cause in the fifth, doubling into scoring position before Lawrence Tech’s defense and Pridemore worked out of the jam to keep the game scoreless at the time.

Despite the loss, the Blue Devils turned in a clean defensive effort with just one error and several key plays behind Pridemore to limit the damage in traffic-heavy innings. Lawrence Tech held Florida National scoreless through seven, repeatedly matching White’s zeroes on the scoreboard and showcasing the type of resilient pitching-and-defense combination that will be crucial as the spring schedule continues.

White ultimately earned the win for Florida National with a complete-game shutout, scattering nine hits over 8.0 innings while striking out five and walking one on 102 pitches. The result sends Lawrence Tech into the back half of Saturday’s doubleheader with valuable experience from a tightly contested extra-inning game, as the Blue Devils look to build on Pridemore’s strong outing and the team’s steady offensive pressure in the games ahead of the spring break trip.