Florida Atlantic softball (6-4) was battle-tested in a demanding stretch of games in its appearance at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational.
The Owls began their highly anticipated 2026 season on a five-game win streak in the Paradise Classic from Feb. 5-8. The team triumphed over formidable programs such as Indiana University (7-3) and Ohio State University (5-4).
The Owls closed out the Clearwater Invitational on Sunday with a relentless onslaught of runs to beat 2021 Women’s College World Series Semifinalists, James Madison University.
FAU v. Texas Tech (Feb. 13, 4 p.m.)
The Owls initially opened the Clearwater Invitational with an 8-0 loss against Texas Tech University (11-0) on Feb. 13. The Red Raiders managed 8 runs on 7 hits with the first two scores coming in the second inning. Redshirt junior Lauren Allred homered to left center field, allowing both herself and teammate Jackie Lis to make it home.
By the third inning, the game quickly became insurmountable with the Red Raiders stretching their lead with five more runners each reaching home plate. The fifth inning saw one more run off of another hit from Allred to end the game.
Despite the loss, the Owls refocused to play another game later in the day. A few hours later, the Owls faced off against Florida State University (8-2). The Owls got off to a strong start with a 4-1 lead at the end of the second inning. Although the Seminoles struck first, it was FAU junior Karson Davey who tripled to right-center field with a two-RBI move to let teammates McKenna Mullohand and Kiley Shelton score. Two separate RBI singles from Kylie Hammonds and Lily Holtje had the Owls in good position.
The Seminoles then scored six unanswered runs to make it 7-4 by the bottom of the fifth inning. Another Holtje single led sophomore Bella Foran to home plate to make it 7-5 in the sixth inning. The Seminoles closed out the seventh inning with two more scores to give the Owls their first loss in the invitational.
FAU v. Tennessee (Feb. 14, 12 p.m.)
On Valentine’s Day, the Owls played against the University of Tennessee (10-0). UT junior Gabby Leach stole second and advanced to third when a missed place throw allowed teammate Sophia Knight to score the first point for the Lady Volunteers (Vols). The Lady Vols led after the first inning, 2-0.
Through the second and third innings, the Owls fought valiantly to keep their opponent from scoring behind senior pitcher Madison Inscoe. By the bottom of the fourth inning, the Lady Vols increased their lead by three scores to make it 5-0. The game ended 8-0 to the Lady Vols, with the Owls’ hitters stumped by Tennessee pitcher Maddi Rutan, who pitched a shutout.
FAU v. Missouri (Feb. 14, 3 p.m.)
Later in the day, Owls then faced the University of Missouri Tigers (4-7) in a doubleheader later the same day. In a minimal scoring game, FAU senior and 2025 NFCA All-American pitcher Autumn Courtney managed the majority of the workload. She showed great poise at the mound, facing 19 total batters while throwing 62 pitches. Her efforts were courageous, only allowing scores from one hit.
Tiger third baseman Addy Waits tripled deep to center field in the third inning, which then allowed teammates Claire Cahalan and Sidney Forrester to score from second and first base, respectively.
FAU graduate student and pitcher Ainsley Lambert entered the game at the bottom of the fourth and was lights out in relief for the Owls. As Courtney had previously done, Lambert kept the game in reach for the offense. The Owls were unable to find their rhythm; however, and were shut out again as the Tigers won 2-0.
FAU v. James Madison (Feb. 15, 1 p.m.)
In their final game, FAU started off the scoring at the top of the first inning when redshirt senior infielder McKenna Mulholland ripped a double down the left-field foul line, which led outfielder Bella Foran across home plate.
Not a heartbeat later, Mulholland scored herself when infielder Jesiana Mora crushed a home run to right-center field. Catcher and infielder Lily Holtje followed suit with another score to swiftly put the Owls up 4-0.
The Dukes attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth inning, but FAU extended its lead with two more runs. JMU utility Emily LeGrand homered beyond left field to have both herself and catcher Bella Henzler score at the bottom of the fourth inning, but this sudden surge would not last long with the Owls showcasing a masterclass in aggressive baserunning.
While freshman pitcher MaKenna Lee retired the Dukes’ batters from the fifth inning onwards, the Owls went on a 7-0 run in the seventh inning to really flex their feathers. Redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds annihilated a dinger past left field on a three-RBI strike to officially end the game. The final score was 13-2, an emphatic victory for the Owls, their only win at the Clearwater Invitational.
The Owls look ahead to a solo away game in Fort Myers against Florida Gulf Coast University (4-5) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m.
Jacob Weeks is a Contributing Writer for the University Press. Email him at [email protected] for more information on this or other stories.
