After a slow start, FAU softball is on fire this weekend after an eight game winning streak that began March 11 at the Blue and Gold Coca-Cola Classic hosted by Florida International University. The Owls defeated Tulsa 3-2 in the first match up, and beat FIU by the same score that evening. Owls senior hurler Candace Freel took the win to up her record to 7-6, and senior Jessica Braggins went 4-6 with Four RBI’s on the day, to get FAU back on the winning track. On March 12, the Owls were again unbeatable in the tournament, beating Quinnipiac on the strength of freshman pitcher Tara Grady, who won her first college game in spectacular fashion, with a 7-0 shutout.
In the nightcap, Manhattan gave FAU a scare. After spotting their opponent a four run lead early, the Owls closed the gap, and swapped runs with the Jaspers until tying the game at eight in the eighth inning. A third base dropped ball error allowed FAU to take the come from behind win. On March 13, the last day of the tourney, the Owls were again perfect, defeating Quinnipiac once again, and embarrassing host FIU, both by a 3-2 margin, to win the tournament with a perfect record. Tournament MVP honors went to Jessica Braggins, who finished the series going 9-18 with a home run and Eight RBI’s.
On March 15, the Owls complete dominance over Quinnipiac University was evident, and FAU ran their winning streak to eight with a two game sweep at Boca Raton. Again, it was the usual suspects coming up big for the home team as Candace Freel took the win in the first contest and Jessica Braggins went 3-3 with two doubles and two RBI’s. The only low point in recent memory for FAU came March 18, when the Owls welcomed #12 Texas A&M to South Florida to open their final home tournament and Parent’s Weekend in Boca Raton. The Aggies cruised 6-2 after a slow start and handed FAU their first loss in nine games. In the second of the days match ups, The Owls got back on the right track with a 4-3 win over Wisconsin, to up their record to a very respectable 17-20 on the season.
For her performances in the third week of March, FAU sophomore Megan Doonan earned A-Sun Pitcher of the Week. Doonan had 28 strikeouts, allowed only three earned runs, and even had a shutout against the Golden Hurricanes.
