GAINESVILLE, Fla.—South Dakota pitcher Megan Green, a sophomore from Rapid City, S.D., recorded all but one out for the Coyotes in their doubleheader against undefeated and two-time defending national champion Florida Wednesday at KSP Stadium.
 
Florida won both games 9-0 to improve to 24-0, but Green, who entered in relief with the bases loaded in the first inning of both games, allowed eight hits in 9 1/3 innings of work against the champs, who returned eight batters to their lineup this season. Seven of the eight runs she surrendered in game one came on three home run balls. She didn't allow a hit in game two while recording all 12 outs.
 
"I knew committing to South Dakota that I'd be facing great teams," said Green, who earned a no decision in both games. "Every kid grows up wanting to be in that position. It's a surreal feeling to be in such a big stadium with such a big crowd playing one of the best teams in the nation."
 
There was one out when Green entered with the bases loaded in game one and no outs when she entered game two. Of the six runners she inherited, a sacrifice fly for the first out of game two was the only run that scored. Her lone strikeout of the night got her out of the first inning of game one.
 
"I'm not a strikeout pitcher, so as long as I'm keeping a batter on her toes, a pop up is as good as a strikeout to me," said Green. "I mixed a lot of curves with my off speed and got them to chase some drop balls and it was effective."
 
Florida centerfielder Kirsti Merritt seemed to be the only Gator unaffected by Green. Merritt hit a pair of two-run homers off the right hander in game one and totaled five RBIs in the opener. It was her first home runs of the season. Kayli Kvistad's three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the sixth prevented the game from going the distance.
 
The Gators led 8-0 before Green entered game two. The Coyotes had issued seven free passes by that point to fuel the rally. Kvistad had a two-run single in the inning – one of just four hits for Florida all game.
 
Yvon Minogue, the Summit League's top hitter, proved she could handle SEC pitching just fine. She had both of South Dakota's hits off Kelly Barnhill in game one and was the only Coyote to touch third base during the twin bill. Florida pitcher Delanie Gourley (9-0) pitched a five-inning no-hitter in game two. Barnhill (8-0) and Gourley are part of a Florida staff that has surrendered 13 runs in 24 games this season.
 
South Dakota (2-20) is scheduled to compete against Northern Kentucky, Central Michigan, Army, USF and Bowling Green in a tournament hosted by USF March 11-13 in Clearwater, Fla.