Softball Sweeps Doubleheader With UTSA

Saturday, April 25

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

31-15-1, 0

UTSA

30-16, 0

UTSA

Florida Atlantic

4/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

April 26, 2015

Game 1Box Score
Game 2 Box Score | Photo Gallery

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Atlantic University softball team clinched a berth in the Conference USA Tournament by sweeping a doubleheader from UTSA on Saturday. The Owls won game one 3-2 and game two 1-0.

The start of the first game was delayed almost half an hour due to rain in the area. When the contest finally started, the conditions contributed to sloppy play as the two teams combined for five errors. After an error, a base hit and an intentional walk loaded the bases for UTSA (30-17, 12-7 C-USA) in the top of the third, a Vivian Tijerina single scored two runs to give the Roadrunners a 2-0 lead.

FAU (32-15-1, 13-6) loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning and tied the game when the UTSA centerfielder dropped what would have been a sacrifice fly from Laura Mann that allowed Christina Martinez and Carnesha Thompson to score. The game winning run came in the fourth inning when Delaney Rickey singled and advanced to second on an error that also allowed Lindsey Shell to reach base. A Martinez sacrifice bunt allowed both runners to move up before Rickey was retired on an unsuccessful squeeze attempt. However, a wild pitch allowed Shell to score the decisive run.

Two of the first three UTSA batters reached in the top of the seventh before Kylee Hanson relieved Samantha Messer in the circle. Hanson struck out the final two batters to seal the win for the Owls.

The nightcap was a pitchers' duel as the two teams managed just four total hits in the game. FAU loaded the bases in the second inning, but came up empty. In the bottom of the fourth, Tatum Buckley walked, advanced to second on a passed ball and moved up to third on an Alex Miller flyout. Delaney Rickey walked to bring Lindsey Shell to the plate. Shell beat out an infield single that allowed Buckley to score. After allowing a double to start the game, Hanson didn't allow another UTSA runner to reach second base. She ended the game with 15 strikeouts.

"We pitched really well when we needed to, but we've got to figure out a way to stop leaving so many people on base," said Joan Joyce, FAU head softball coach.

The Owls will go for the series sweep at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Live stats and live video of the game will be available at fausports.com. Live updates will also be posted at the official Twitter page of FAU softball (@fauowlssoftball).