Softball Wins On Final Day Of Pepsi Classic

Sunday, February 25

Boca Raton, Fla.

11:00 AM

Florida Atlantic

James Madison

2/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 25, 2007

Box Score

The Florida Atlantic University softball team defeated James Madison University 2-1 in the third-place game of the FAU Pepsi Classic.

The Owls found themselves locked in another pitchers' duel with JMU's Branden Moss and FAU's Jen Musillo each throwing six shutout innings. The Dukes would strike first in the top of the seventh when Meredith Felts singled down the line in left and drove in Amber Kirk to give JMU a 1-0 lead headed to the bottom half of the seventh.

However, for the second time in as many games, the Owls would stage a comeback in their last at-bat. Once again, it was Mandie Fishback who started the rally, this time with an infield single. Jen Musillo then bunted Fishback over to second, where she was replaced by pinch runner Ambar Jones. That would bring up Lauren Crandall who got the second infield single of the inning for the Owls and allowed Jones to move to third.

After a Crandall steal of second, Blair Bodenmiller came to the plate and hit a grounder to the second baseman, who threw home attempting to cut down Jones. Her throw went wide of the catcher and also allowed Crandall to score from second on the play. Crandall's run gave the Owls a 2-1 victory and second straight in the last half inning. Jen Musillo pitched another fabulous game for the Owls, allowing one run on four hits while striking out six.

In other Championship Sunday action, Jacksonville University defeated Bethune-Cookman 4-1 in the fifth-place game, while Texas Tech blanked Illinois in the Championship game 7-0. Texas Tech pitcher Ashly Jacobs was named Tournament MVP.

The Owls return to action on Friday when they host Bethune-Cookman on Day 1 of the Miken Classic. First pitch of that game is scheduled for 6 p.m.