GAINEVILLE< Fla.--North Dakota State University fell to No. 2/3-ranked Florida 18-0 and Syracuse 3-0 during the second day of the University of Florida Lipton Invitational played Saturday, March 5, at Pressly Stadium.

North Dakota State (7-12) is scheduled to close out tournament play against the University of Pacific (9-5) at 8 a.m. Central Sunday, March 6.

Whitney Johnson (3-4) overcame a shaky first inning to limit Syracuse (15-3) to three walks over the final six innings. Johnson recorded her third career two-hitter, but both were first-inning home runs to Lacey Kohl and Hallie Gibbs. Johnson struck out seven and walked four.

Syracuse pitcher Jenna Caira (9-2) crafted a two-hit shutout. Caira struck out nine, walked two and limited the Bison to a lead-off double from Jamie Gay in the fifth and Brittany McCray's pinch-hit single in the seventh. Caira received a key double play in the third when NDSU's Brandi Enriquez to third with one out.

The nationally-ranked and host Gators (18-0) took advantage of 18 walks and three home runs in Saturday's opener. Aja Paculba went 2 for three with a double and home run. Megan Horton hit a home run and had three RBI, while Kasey Fagan smacked a grand slam homer as Florida finished with nine hits.

Stephanie Brombacher (10-0) tossed a two-hitter, striking out five and walking one. Katie Tamayo and Johnson pitched for NDSU with Tamayo recording the loss.

Elisa Victa and Richel Briones each had a single for the Bison.