Softball Returns Home to Host FIU for Three Games

Florida Atlantic vs. Florida International
Game Details	April 6-7 \| Boca Raton, Fla. \| FAU Softball Stadium
Game Coverage	Live Video: FAUsports.tv Radio: N/A Live Stats: Sidearm Stats Twitter: @fauowlssoftball Instagram: @owls_softball
Florida Atlantic Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Florida International Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University softball team (16-19, 3-6 C-USA) will be home for the next two weekends, starting with a three-game series with FIU (18-18, 0-9 C-USA). FAU is looking to build upon the momentum fostered at Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday and clinch their first conference win in two weeks. The series will commence with a doubleheader on Saturday at 4 p.m. and will finish off on Sunday at 1 p.m. Live stats for each of the three games can be followed here, while live video can be viewed at fausports.tv.

Game Notes:

FAU vs. FIU Game Notes

Series History:
Series Record: 55-34 (FAU)
FAU took the 3-2 victory in the inaugural matchup on February 25, 1998. The Owls and Panthers have squared off 89 different times, which is the most of any FAU opponent in program history. Both programs have been in the ASUN, Sun Belt and now C-USA together. In the last 20 matchups, both teams have 10 wins a piece, but FAU has the advantage in the all-time series with 21 more wins.

Last Time Out:
The annual series was played in Miami last season, with FIU taking a 2-1 advantage on the weekend. The Panthers won the first game, 6-1, but the Owls bounced back in game two to squeeze by with a 1-0 victory. With the series clincher on the line in Sunday's rubber match, FIU ran away with a 5-1 advantage. The Owls were able to push across just one run in each of the three games to be outscored by the Panthers in the series, 11-3.

Eyeing FIU:
The Panthers rounded out the 2018 season 30-25 (14-8 C-USA) to get a No. 3 seed in the C-USA tournament. FIU received a bye in the first round, but was eliminated by a 4-0 loss in their first game against No. 6 Middle Tennessee. The Panthers finished the season as the leader of the conference in ERA with 2.52 and fielding percentage with 46 errors, but rounded out toward the bottom of the standings in batting average at .261. Jackie Schoff (OF) clinched a spot on the All-Conference First Team, Jessica Rivera (IF) was a second team choice and Venessa Gallegos (UT) made a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman team.

The Panthers commenced the season with a 5-1 start and was projected to finish fifth in the conference at the beginning of the season with Schoff as a Preseason All-Conference selection. Schoff is leading the way for the Panthers at the plate with a .327 batting average, 37 hits, 10 RBI and three doubles and triples a piece. Megan Kugelmann has been getting work done in the circle with a 2.46 ERA and 59 strikeouts, and was the C-USA Pitcher of the Week on March 11.

FAU at Florida Gulf Coast:
The Owls traveled to the westside of the state to face Florida Gulf Coast for a midweek doubleheader. In game one, the Eagles jumped out in front with a 2-0 lead, but the Owls were able to tie up the game thanks to a sacrifice fly by Jolie Duffner and an RBI single by Fayth Davis. In the bottom of the fifth frame, the Eagles marched across, what would be, the game-deciding run. The Owls had a chance to tie the game in the seventh with Madisyn Palmer in scoring position at third base, but FAU fell short, dropping the contest, 3-2. The Owls came back in game two with a 7-2 victory. Despite giving up a two-run homer in the first inning, Kelsey Morrison did not allow another Eagle run in the remainder of the game and a five-run inning for the Owls in the fifth helped FAU run away with the win to snap a four-game losing skid. The Owls now have an 8-5 advantage over the Eagles in the series.

Social Media:
For live updates during each game and for other FAU softball news, follow along on Twitter (@fauowlssoftball), Instagram (@Owls_softball) and Facebook.

Up Next:
The Owls will remain at home for another weekend series against Middle Tennessee. For ticket information, visit the Ticketmaster page or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.

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Players Mentioned

Fayth Davis

Jolie Duffner

Kelsey Morrison

Madisyn Palmer

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