The FAU Owls softball team got its season started in the FAU Kickoff Classic on Feb. 8 with its first tournament.
FAU was in complete control as they swept day one of a double header, earning wins against North Florida and South Carolina. The Owl’s offense carried FAU to a decisive 7-0 defeat against North Florida. Blair Bodenmiller led the Owls with three runs while Rose Gressely had two RBIs.
FAU head coach Joan Joyce was pleased with Bodenmiller’s performance. “Blair, who I expected to stand out, did a real good job,” said Joyce.
Following that performance, FAU also edged out a close 2-1 victory against South Carolina in the nightcap.
Amber Barton pitching was the key in the close win. Barton had given up one run, but redeemed herself by striking out five Gamecock batters for the win.
“She pitched really well,” said Joyce. “Her ball was moving pretty good.”
However, day two of the FAU Kickoff Classic wasn’t as sweet as the first. Nationally-ranked Michigan and University of Massachusetts swept the Owls after a rain delay postponed Saturday’s games to Sunday.
Michigan, ranked 12th in the nation, defeated FAU 5-2 in a controversial ending. FAU had led 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, but a controversial call on the base paths allowed Michigan to score three runs and secure the win.
Joyce was upset and thought the loss to Michigan could have been prevented. “If we had done our job earlier we wouldn’t have been in that position to begin with,” said Joyce.
After that disappointment the Owls found themselves unable to recover, losing to Massachusetts by the same 5-2 score. Massachusetts pitcher Brandice Balschmiter was dominating in her performance. Last year Balschmiter, Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher of the Year, struck out eight batters and only gave up two hits.
“Brandice throws the ball hard and it’s very difficult to hit against her,” said Joyce. “We did do a good job in getting the bat on the ball making good contact with her. That’s going to happen when you got somebody throwing as hard as she does.”
FAU pitcher Rose Gressely gave up four runs while the Owls only managed two runs and three hits. Still, Joyce was pleased with the team’s overall play this weekend, but notices areas where the team can show improvement.
FAU will have a chance to rebound this upcoming weekend on the road at the Palm Springs Softball Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. On Friday, FAU will take on LSU and Hawai’i. Saturday the Lady Owls will face Pacific, and on Sunday they play Oregon State and UNLV.
