FAU Upsets no. 3 Texas A&M

Saturday, March 17

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

Rutgers

3/17/2007 1:41:00 PM | Softball

March 18, 2007

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL (March 17, 2007) - Jen Musillo pitched the game of her life despite the biggest challenge the Florida Atlantic University softball team has faced in the regular season in perhaps the program's history.

The Owls picked up two wins on Saturday during the second day of the Parents' Weekend Tournament, the second win coming against no. 3/4 Texas A&M. It's believed to be the highest-ranked opponent the Owls have ever defeated.

Musillo struck out a career-high 15 in the contest and didn't allow a hit until a bunt single by Sharonda McDonald led off the sixth inning. She advanced to second on a ground out and stole third, but was stranded as the only scoring threat the Aggies would be able to muster.

The Owls had at least one base runner in every inning, but the most important inning was the fourth. Lauren Crandal was retired leading off the frame before Amy Bukovich singled with one away. Melissa Moore reached on a fielder's choice, putting her on first with two out. Blair Bodenmiller reached on an infield single between third and short, and Charlotte Baird lined a hard single into left field that loaded the bases.

Becky Brandies delivered what may be the biggest hit of her career. She lined the first pitch she saw into the gap in right center for a three-run triple and a 3-0 FAU lead.

Florida Atlantic would add an insurance run an inning later on the aide of an error by the Aggies that allowed Ambar Jones to advance to third on what would have been a fielder's choice, and she would score on a Bukovich grounder.

Musillo (6-5) struck out four straight from the first to second innings and five of her first six outs were via the punchout. She would strike out the side in the fifth to tie her career-high of 11, which she accomplished three times last season. She would fan her 13th to end the sixth with runners on the corners, and two more in the seventh for the final brush stroke to her masterpiece.

The Aggies never looked comfortable facing the Tequesta, FL native, as the senior kept them off balance with a variety of breaking balls, drops and risers throughout the game.

FAU's win over the Aggies followed a 10-1 rout of Rutgers that saw Moore, Bukovich and Amber Barton collect three hits apiece. Hailey Broyles had two hits and a bases-loaded double that drove in three. Bukovich and Barton scored three runs each while Barton knocked in two more runs as the Owls pounded out 15 hits.

Meghan Doonan (3-2) got the win, pitching 4+ innings, giving up five hits, one run and striking out one. Tara Gradycame on to throw three scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit and one walk whilestriking out one.

The top-seeded Owls will be faced with a rematch against no. 3/4 Texas A&M on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the tournament's championship game. Rutgers will face Quinnipiac in the 5 vs. 6 match-up at 9 a.m., while the no. 3 seed Michigan State will face the no. 4 seed UMass at 11 a.m.

All games will be played at FAU Softball Stadium. Fans can keep track of all the tournament's action at FAUSports.com, and can hear audio of the championship game between the Owls and Aggies as part of the Owls All-Access.