Softball Opens Spring Break Challenge with Spilt against St. John's. Jacksonville

Friday, March 7

Jacksonville, Fla.

9:00 AM

Army West Point

8-8

Jacksonville

12-9

Army West Point

Jacksonville

Softball Opens Spring Break Challenge with Spilt against St. John's. Jacksonville

March 07, 2025 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Army West Point Softball (9-8) opened the first day of the Spring Break Challenge hosted by North Florida with a 1-1 split, falling to the Jacksonville University Dolphins (12-9) while earning a win over the St. John's University Red Storm (14-8-1).

In the first game against Jacksonville, the Black Knights suffered an 8-4 loss at the hands of the Dolphins. The game was close through the entire game, with Army tying the game 4-4 in the top of the sixth. But a four-run sixth inning from Jacksonville made the game out of reach.

The loss did not stop the Black Knights, as they took a win in their second game of the day over St. John's, 4-1. Army trailed 1-0 early but then exploded with four runs in the fourth inning to help put them on top.

Ashton White led the Black Knights in the first day of action in Jacksonville, batting .500 with three hits and two RBIs, including a two-run home run in the game against the Dolphins.

Leila Hurst, Emma Murchison and Annie Christiana each had two hits on the day, with Hurst having three RBIs that she earned from two base-clearing doubles.

Breanna Izzo led the way pitching, finishing the day with a 0.00 ERA in the Black Knights' win over St. John's with seven strikeouts, all while throwing a complete game. Amanda Eaglin received the start against the Dolphins, with Libby Levendowski coming in to serve as relief. Ultimately, Levendoski saw the loss.

GAME 1

In the game against Jacksonville, the Dolphins got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead that stuck around until the top of the fourth inning.

After Annie Christiana got her first hit of the day singling to the left side, Ashton White stepped up to the plate and scored Army's first runs of the day.

Ashton White hit a two-run home run to left field on the third pitch, giving Army a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning.

The Dolphins quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs to take back the lead. Jacksonville hit a lead-off home run followed quickly by a two-run home run. Then Libby Levendowski came in for relief and the Black Knights were able to get out of the inning through one put out and catching a baserunner stealing.

Army came back to tie the game in the sixth inning at 4-4.

Leila Hurst earned a base-clearing two-run double, sending both Annie Christiana, who hit a double earlier, and Tayten Moore, a pitch runner for Caitlyn Newburn who hit a single just before Hurst came to the plate.

Then in the bottom of the second, the Dolphins did the most damage, scoring four runs in the inning to go up 8-4. Jacksonville scored on two consecutive two-RBI doubles.

The Black Knights's last chance to win the game came in the top of the seventh. Emma Murchison was able to draw a walk, but then a double play and ground out stifled Army's attempt to win the first game of the day.

GAME 2

Despite the Black Knights taking the win, it was St. John's that scored first in the second matchup for Army on the day. After the Red Storm's leadoff hitter reached on a fielding error two groundouts and one singled allowed St. John's to score.

The first inning would be the only time the Red Storm would score in the game. Breanna Izzo and the Black Knights' defense took over, combining for three strikeouts and six putouts through the bottom of the fourth.

The Black Knights made their move offensively in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four runs off of five hits to take a commanding 4-1 lead.

It started with a lead-off single from Ashton White, who was able to advance to second on her first stolen base of the season. Leila Hurst took advantage of White being in scoring position, hitting a double down the left field line to allow White to score.

Tayten Moore then hit a single to get on base and allow Hurst to advance to third base. Then, Breanna Coonfare hit a two-RBI single up the middle to allow Hurst and Moore to earn runs.

Finally, Sienna Tepley hit a single, allowing Breanna Coonfare, who had previously advanced to second on a wild pitch, to run to home plate to give Army a commanding 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Both teams held each other scoreless for the rest of the game, with Army going three and out in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings. Izzo would earn four more strikeouts and the Black Knights would combine for five more putouts to earn the win.

NEXT UP

The Black Knights will head back to the UNF Softball Complex Saturday afternoon for two matchups, a rematch against Jacksonville and a showdown with tournament host North Florida.

The rematch with the Dolphins is scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch, while the first game against North Florida is set to begin at 4:30 p.m., with that game also streaming on ESPN+.