Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Stanford
Owls Fall to No. 12 Cardinal 9-3
2/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2008
PALM SPRINGS, CA - The Florida Atlantic softball team lost to no. 12 Stanford 9-3 in nine innings in their first game at the Palm Springs Classic. It is the fifth time the Owls (4-6) have gone to extra innings, they are 1-4 in those five games.
The two teams had combined for just one hit through four innings when Stanford catcher Rosey Neill led off the top of the fifth when a solo shot to right field. FAU answered in the bottom half of the inning when Lauren Crandall chopped a single down the third base line to drive in Kerri Croney and tied the game at one. The Cardinal mounted another scoring threat in the top of the sixth when they had bases loaded and none out. Stanford was unable score after Melissa Koutz hit into a 1-2-3 double play and Shannon Koplitz flew out to left.
FAU had the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom of the sixth, but was unable to push a run across. Stanford scored in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Anna Beardman. An infield single by Alissa Haber allowed another run to score to give Stanford a 3-1 lead headed to the bottom of the seventh. Becky Brandies led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk, and after a Lauren Crandall strikeout, Caitlyn Bliss doubled down the line in left to put runners at second and third. Ambar Jones grounded out, but scored Brandies and advanced Bliss to third. Melissa Moore singled to third to score Bliss and tie the game. An Amy Bukovich foulout ended the inning.
Barton was able to retire the Cardinal in order in the top of the eighth inning. Bukovich, who had been placed on second as part of the international tiebreaker, advanced to third on a sacrifice by Barton. She would not score as the Owls' last two batters of the inning struck out. Stanford scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning, four coming on a grand slam by Maddy Coon. The Owls were retired in order to end the game.
FAU returns to action tomorrow for Day Two of the Palm Springs Classic when they face no.6 LSU and no.11 Hawaii at 6 p.m and 11 p.m. eastern respectively.
