Owls Split Doubleheader with UMass

Monday, March 19

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

UMass

3/19/2007 1:25:00 PM | Softball

March 20, 2007

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL - An early unearned run cost the Florida Atlantic University softball team game one of its doubleheader against Massachusetts, but an early offensive outburst carried them in game two on Monday at FAU Softball Stadium.

UMass scored an unearned run on an error with two out in the top of the first inning and that was all Brandice Balschmiter (8-8) would need, as she turned away several early scoring threats from the Owls in a five-hit shutout and 1-0 UMass win.

The Owls had two runners on in each of the first three innings but stranded all of them, stranding nine runners in the game. Jen Musillo, named the Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week earlier that day, pitched well but the offense couldn't overcome the early defensive mistake.

Musillo (6-6) went seven innings, giving up four hits and three walks while striking out 10. The run she allowed was unearned.

FAU would jump out to an 8-0 lead after two innings in game two as the bats awoke with a thunderous second inning. FAU hit two home runs in the frame and scored four two-out runs in a six-run outburst.

With one out, Hailey Broyles walked and Annie Voyles followed with her first home run of the season to give FAU a 4-0 lead. Then, with two out, Jenna Lopez singled, Mandie Fishback hit a two-run home run, Amber Barton singled and moved to second on a wild pitch, Musillo knocked her in with an RBI single, and Amy Bukovich followed with an RBI double that scored Musillo for an 8-0 edge.

Despite throwing more balls than strikes, FAU's starting pitcher Barton had blanked the Minutewomen through four innings. But in the fifth, her wildness caught up with her. UMass batted around after Barton walked three of the first four batters she faced. Meghan Doonan came on in relief and walked the first batter she faced before getting a double-play line drive to alleviate some pressure, putting runners on second and third with two out and FAU still with an 8-2 edge.

UMass would follow with a three-run homer by Davina Hernandez to get them within three at 8-5. Blair Bodenmillerwould hit a solo home run in the bottom half of the fifth to push FAU's margin back to four,9-5, which would prove to be a critical play.

Tara Grady came out of the pen in the sixth and escaped the inning unscathed, but in the seventh the Minutewomen would score two on a triple by Hernandez, who finished with five RBI, prompting another pitching change that brought Musillo on with no warm up.

Musillo struck out the first batter she faced, but gave up an RBI single to make it 9-8. She would fan Amanda Morin with the tying run on first to end the game, giving FAU the win and Musillo her first save of the season.

FAU (18-13) will now turn its attention to North Texas. The Mean Green visit Boca Raton, FL on Saturday and Sunday for a three-game set.