Florida Atlantic softball (26-16) closed its series against the University of South Florida (32-13) with a 14-inning, shutout loss, capping a three-game sweep. With the result, the Owls fell to an 8-10 conference record on the season.
The series finale also marked the second-longest inning game the Owls have played, finishing one inning shy of FAU’s 15-inning, 1-0 marathon victory over Stetson University (26-17) in the Trans American Athletic Conference (TAAC) Championship on May 4, 2001.
The Owls have historically struggled against their American Conference rival. Since their first meeting in February 1995, a game FAU lost 3-0, the Owls have gone 10-22 against the South Florida Bulls, including a 4-5 mark in conference play. The Owls have averaged three runs per game in the matchup, scoring 82 runs in total.
Friday (April 10, 6 p.m.)
The Owls opened the series with a narrow 3-2 loss. The game remained scoreless through the first two innings with both offenses held in check. The Bulls broke through in the bottom of the third inning when senior outfielder Alexa Galligani homered over the right field fence. FAU answered right back. In the top of the fourth inning, junior utility Ciara Gibson singled to left field to plate teammate Lily Lowery.
USF infielder DaNia Brooks then reached on a fielder’s choice to third and advanced to second base. Following a throwing error from the FAU third baseman, Karhys Pierce plated, unearned. Another scoreless fifth inning then led to USF increasing its lead in the sixth. Brooks doubled to right-center field, which plated teammate Sam Walz.
The Owls were up to bat at the top of the seventh inning, trailing 3-1 and in need of two runs to tie. Sophomore catcher and first baseman Lily Holtje drew a walk while she entered the game as a pinch hitter for teammate Hannah Rivers. Infielder Cameryn Orland then pinch-hit for teammate Yani Guzman, with McKenna Mulholland coming in as a pinch runner for Holtje.
Orland singled down the right field line, which advanced Mulholland to third base. Outfielder Kiley Shelton then reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop, bringing in a run as Orland was out at second on the play with Mulholland still reaching home plate. The Owls were unable to push across another run, as USF held on to secure the win, 3-2.
Despite the loss, the Owls stayed competitive, backed by strong pitching from starter Autumn Courtney. She took the mound through six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits. Courtney also struck out four batters and induced 10 fly-outs on 112 total pitches against 25 batters faced.
As a team, the Owls’ offense struggled, they scored two runs on five hits while leaving five runners on base. Lowery impressed, going 1-2 at bat with a run scored, contributing to a .192 team batting average.
Saturday (April 11, 4:30 p.m.)
Looking to bounce back, FAU held firm through a scoreless first inning before USF once again opened the scoring. In the bottom of the second inning, senior outfielder Olivia Elliot singled to right field to plate teammate Kathy Garcia-Soto.
The Owls responded at the top of the third inning, rallying for a three-run stretch. Outfielder Bella Foran singled down the third baseman’s line. She advanced to second base when Kylie Hammonds reached first following a wild pitch.
Lowery singled to right field, which advanced Foran to third base and Hammonds to second. Senior catcher Chloe Yeatts then similarly singled to right field on a 2-RBI move to plate both Foran and Hammonds while Lowery advanced to third base.
A pitching change for USF failed to slow the Owls’ offensive push. Holtje singled up the middle to plate Lowery and put FAU ahead at 3-1. After another scoreless inning in the fourth, the Bulls charged for a three-run stretch of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning.
USF freshman outfielder Toryn Fulton doubled to right-center field. She then advanced to third base when teammate Alex Wilkes singled to left field. Pierce then singled through the right side, which plated Fulton and advanced Wilkes to second base.
The Owls countered with a change on the mound, opting to relieve pitcher Madison Inscoe for teammate Ainsley Lambert. Even so, USF continued to build on the momentum. Brooks hit a sacrifice bunt, which advanced Wilkes to third base and Pierce to second.
Infielder Jamia Nelson then reached on a fielder’s choice to second base as she managed to be safe at second on the throw. This advanced Pierce to third base and plated Wilkes. Junior catcher Kiley Strott then hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, which plated Pierce to complete the comeback with USF ahead at 4-3.
The game finished in the seventh inning with the same scoreline, as the Owls fell to 2-0 in the conference series. The Owls were more productive offensively, scoring three runs on six hits, but were still unable to capitalize further while leaving eight runners on base. Hammonds shined, going for a perfect 2-for-2 at bat and a run scored, contributing to an improved .222 team batting average.
Sunday (April 12, 1 p.m.)
The Owls closed the series in an extended, 14-inning loss. The final scoreline, 1-0, reflected the defensive battle on the diamond.
The lone score of the game came in the bottom of the fourteenth inning, when USF’s Galligani hit a sacrifice fly out to center field. Teammate Garcia-Soto advanced from second base to third and then plated following a throwing error from the FAU center fielder, resulting in an unearned run to secure the walk-off win.
Regardless of the loss, Courtney delivered a standout performance, managing the mound through 13 innings. She allowed one unearned run on nine hits. Courtney also struck out six batters and induced a staggering 22 fly-outs on 211 total pitches against 56 batters faced.
As a team, FAU’s offense totaled seven hits across 48 at-bats and finished with a .146 team batting while leaving 12 runners on base.
The Owls will return home with a single-game rematch against Florida International University (28-13) at Joan Joyce Field on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 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.
