Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
UMass
Softball Sweeps Opening Night
2/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2009
BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic softball team began its 2009 season with a sweep of UMass and Maryland on Friday night.
FAU got off to a quick start against UMass in the first game. An Amy Bukovich base hit scored Caitlyn Bliss and gave the Owls a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Minutewomen tied the game in the second on a base hit of their own. Bliss drove in two runs on an RBI double as past of a three-run fourth inning to make the score 4-1. Singles by both Kerri Croney and Christine Houghtaling in the seventh inning provided the margin of victory. Kathryn Stauffer threw a complete game for her first win since April 25, 2007.
In the nightcap against Maryland, the Owls drew first blood on an error by the Terrapins in the third inning and added a run in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. Maryland tied the game in the top of the fifth and had the bases loaded when a running catch by Jenna Schwarz in left field ended the threat.
Caitlyn Bliss struck again in the bottom of the fifth, this time lacing a double to left field to drive in Amber Jones and give Owls a 3-2 lead. Maryland mounted threats in the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to tie the game.
Action in the FAU Kick-Off Classic continues on Saturday and the Owls return to the field to take on Michigan and Pitt at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively.
