Florida Atlantic softball (12-5) hosted the annual Joan Joyce Classic from Feb. 19-22. The Owls honed their skills against respected programs and secured an impressive six-game slate sweep.
Before the tournament, the Owls recently lost a close game to Florida Gulf Coast University (5-9) on Feb. 17, 3-2.
FAU vs. Kansas (Feb. 19, 6 p.m.)
The Owls opened the Joan Joyce Classic with a back-and-forth game against the University of Kansas (10-6). In the first inning, the Jayhawks ran in two scores in rapid succession.
FAU pitcher Madison Inscoe then delivered a two-RBI single between the shortstop and third baseman, which plated teammates Jesiana Mora and Kylie Hammonds, both unearned. The score remained tied 2-2 through the second inning. Each team then traded runs in the third inning, keeping it tied at 3-3.
The Owls scored in the fourth inning, but it was the Jayhawks who again ran in twice in the fifth and sixth innings to go up 5-4. FAU defender Destiny Johns, who had her first collegiate hit against Kansas last season, took the game into her own hands at the bottom of the seventh inning. She hit a single through the left side, which led teammates Ciara Gibson and Cameryn Orland across the plate. The game-winning sequence clinched FAU’s 5-4 victory.
As a team, the Owls had a great first game with nine hits, six of which were doubles. Mora shone offensively with a perfect batting average (2-2) and two additional runs.
FAU v. UMASS (Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m.)
The following day, the Owls faced off against the Minutewomen (6-9) of the University of Massachusetts. The game was at a stalemate through three innings, but the deadlock was broken when sophomore Owl Lily Holtje crushed a home run past center field at the bottom of the fourth inning.
With the gates open, the fifth inning flooded the scoresheet with four total runs. The Minutewomen scored when infielder Odyssey Torres singled up the middle, which drove teammate Riain Keefe to the plate. The Owls stood firm in the diamond and strongly responded with three runs of their own.
Johns singled and swiftly advanced to second base while catcher Chloe Yeatts reached home. Holtje then doubled to right-center field, which plated Johns and Hammonds. The final score remained 4-1 to FAU as the Owls came away with their second win of the invitational.
Pitcher Autumn Courtney had a strong performance, staggering nine strikeouts across six innings. Holtje also stood out with two hits and three RBIs, including her own home-run hit on three attempts at bat.
FAU v. Southern Indiana (Feb. 20, 6:15 p.m.)
Later that day, the Owls continued their phenomenal showing with a win over the University of Southern Indiana (3-9). The Owls started the scoring early on with four runs in the first inning alone.
Inscoe grounded out to the shortstop, which not only advanced teammates McKenna Mulholland and Holtje to third and second base, respectively, but it also led Hammonds across home plate. Soon after, Johns struck a single up the middle, which subsequently plated Mulholland and Holtje to make it 3-0. Outfielder Bella Foran then singled to drive in teammate and utility personnel Karson Davey to end the bottom of the first, 4-0 to the Owls.
The second inning was quiet with the Owls only adding one run. The third inning is where the Owls swooped in for the kill; Hammonds slammed a solid triple, and Foran plated. Hammonds then scored herself off of a wild pitch from the Screaming Eagles to make it 6-0.
Senior infielder Yani Guzman singled to left-center field as Mulholland scored and freshman Ava Difato moved to third base. Davey was then hit by another poorly placed pitch, which allowed Difato to reach home plate. The Owls scored twice more to wrap up the third inning and officially put the game out of reach at a sharp 11-0 scoreline.
The game finished prematurely in the fifth inning, still 11-0 to the Owls. It proved to be a team effort, with the Owls totaling a remarkable 11 runs on 10 hits, driving in 10 RBIs across 21 at-bats. The defensive unit also kept USI scoreless the entire game.
FAU v. Villanova (Feb. 21, 3:45 p.m.)
The Owls again dominated the diamond this time against Villanova University (0-15). The Owls began the first inning with back-to-back home runs from Hammonds and Mulholland. Davey then hit with a fielding error, leading to Johns and Holtje to plate from third and second base, respectively. This gave the Owls an early 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, Mulholland absolutely ripped yet another dinger beyond left-center field. The three-RBI play also led to Hammonds and Foran crossing home plate, both unearned. This flawlessly set the Owls with a sensational and unanswered 7-0 run.
The third inning gave the Owls the chance to cool off, with the only score coming off a wild pitch and Guzman plating as a result. The Villanova Wildcats then got on the board in the fourth inning. Sophomore infielder Jaclyn Morra singled to right field, which plated teammate and second baseman Lilly St. Jean for their only run of the game. A sacrifice fly from Johns allowed Mulholland to plate and to ice the win officially.
It was Mulholland who best represented FAU’s outstanding 9-1 performance. She reached base on every plate appearance with two homers, three runs scored, and four RBI’s.
FAU v. Southern Indiana (Feb. 21, 6:15 p.m.)
In a rematch against the University of Southern Indiana (3-9), the result remained relatively similar. However, this time it was the USI Screaming Eagles who struck first at the top of the initial inning.
Repeat 2025 All OVC Second Team outfielder Caroline Stapleton singled and then advanced to second base on a throwing error. She moved to third in a hurry when USI teammate Katelyn Marx singled herself. Stapleton completed her run around the bases when she then speedily stole home after infielder Sydney Long struck out. This gave USI its first lead and its only score in two showings against FAU.
The Owls responded without hesitation. Holtje doubled down the infield line, which advanced Mulholland to third base. Johns popped a sacrifice fly moments later, and Mulholland scored. Guzman then doubled to right-center field on a two-RBI move, which plated teammates Holtje and Kiley Shelton. This put the Owls back on top with a 3-1 lead.
The score stalled through the second to fourth innings. The Owls’ defensive efforts proved to be exceptional during this period. Senior pitcher Jaden Martinez managed these innings well, holding the Screaming Eagles to zero runs and two strikeouts. FAU infielders were electric in coverage, especially in the fourth inning, in which they collected three fly balls in sequential plays.
Together, this set the Owls’ offense up for immediate success in the following innings. The fifth inning saw Johns hammer a long triple to center field, which plated freshman defensive personnel Lily Lowery to make it 4-1. A double down the right-field line from Shelton then brought Johns home. Shortly after, Davey then plated Shelton off a single again to right field.
Having herself a productive evening, Shelton sealed the win with a single up the middle to plate Lowery in the sixth inning. The game finished 7-1 for the Owls in the seventh inning. One last game awaited with an invincible streak in sight.
FAU v. UMASS (Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m.)
In the final game of the Joan Joyce Classic, the Owls closed it out in style in a rematch showdown against the University of Massachusetts (6-9). The Minutewomen came out swinging. A deep homer past left-center field from Torres gave them an early advantage at the top of the first inning. The Owls struggled to react, with the team failing to convert any runs through to the bottom of the second inning.
Suddenly, the Owls swooped back in to mount a devastating comeback in the diamond. In the third inning, the Owls struck back with three runs. Mulholland singled and advanced to second base on a two-RBI move, which led teammates Hammonds and Foran across home plate. Guzman then tactically bunted a short single as Mulholland plated herself. This had the Owls now leading 3-1, with momentum shifting.
The Owls furthered their comeback with two more scores to round out the fourth inning. Holtje popped up a sacrifice fly ball to strategically shuffle teammates Mulholland and Hammonds to second and third base, respectively. This also allowed Foran to score her second run of the game. A triumphant walk from Guzman gave Hammonds the perfect chance to not only secure the win but to lock in an undefeated invitational for the Owls.
The Owls finished this game with a 5-1 victory, capping off a terrific 6-0 overall at home in the Joan Joyce Classic.
The high-flying Owls look forward to a lone away matchup against the University of Central Florida at “The Plex” in Orlando on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.
Jacob Weeks is a Staff Writer for the University Press. Email him at [email protected] for more information on this or other stories.
