FAU Survives, Advances with 3-hit Shutout over FIU

Friday, May 11

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

1:30 PM

Florida Atlantic

FIU (Sun Belt Tournament)

5/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

May 11, 2007

Box Score

MURFREESBORO, TN - Amber Barton smacked a two-run double in the second and threw the final two innings of a shutout victory for the Florida Atlantic University softball team over Florida International in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Friday.

With the Owls already up 1-0 on an first inning RBI single by Mandie Fishback, Barton drove a ball into the gap in left center to score Amy Bukovich and Lauren Crandall for a 3-0 lead. Bukovich led off the inning with a single and Crandall reached first on a throwing error after laying down a sacrifice bunt.

15 of the last 16 Owl batters would be retired, but that would be more than enough support for Jen Musillo, who threw five shutout innings, allowing a pair of singles and two walks while striking out five.

She gave way to Barton to start the sixth, and the freshman struck out the first two batters she faced. A walk and an error put two aboard, but Barton induced a pop-up to end the inning.

Barton worked around a leadoff single in the seventh to retire the next three batters, and Florida Atlantic advanced to face Middle Tennessee.

The Owls will face the Blue Raiders at 6:30 p.m. Should FAU win, they will face MTSU tomorrow morning. The time of Saturday's game is yet to be determined, pending the rest of Friday's action.