FAU Sweeps Day One at Kick-Off Classic

Friday, February 8

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

North Florida

2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 8, 2008

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University softball team opened the 2008 season with wins over North Florida and South Carolina at the FAU Kick-Off Classic.

FAU (2-0) defeated North Florida 7-0 in their season openers. Freshman Rose Gressley pitched a complete game shutout in her first collegiate game.

The Owls scored all their runs in the first four innings. Blair Bodenmiller led off the game with a double and later scored on a passed ball by UNF pitcher Tori Ahern. Caitlyn Bliss, who reached on a walk scored on an RBI single by Amy Bukovich. Kerri Croney doubled to center in the second and later scored on a play in which UNF committed two errors. Bodenmiler scored her second run of the game on a double steal. Becky Brandies added a run in the third and Gressley drove in Bodenmiller and Melissa Moore with a single to left to produce the final margin.

FAU defeated South Carolina 2-1 in the final game in the day's final game. As they did in their first game, the Owls got on the scoreboard early against the Gamecocks. Bodenmiller reached on a passed ball after striking out and later stole second. Moore advanced Bodenmiller on a sacrifice bunt. Bodenmiller scored the game's first run after she beat the throw on a fielder's choice. Bukovich was driven in by Becky Brandies to give FAU a 2-0 lead.

Amber Barton won the despite allowing 10 hits by the Gamecocks. Barton was able to turn away scoring threat by the South Carolina in the fourth and sixth innings. The biggest threat came in the seventh inning when with a runner on first and two out, Jessica Josker singled to short followed by a passed ball that allowed everyone to move up a base. A Lisa Longo single allowed Ashton Payne to score, however, Josker was cut down on a fantastic throw by center fielder Jessica Myers to clinch the win in dramatic fashion.

Action continues tomorrow with day two of the FAU Kick-Off Classic. Action begins at 9 a.m when UMass faces UNF in the first game of the day. FAU will face Maryland at 6 p.m., before facing Michigan at 8 p.m. Live audio will be available for both of FAU's games and all of the day.