First of Three Was a Thriller

Saturday, March 13

Boca Raton, Fla.

6 PM

Florida Atlantic

UCF

2021 FAU Softball vs Mississippi Lynn Gardner

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

3/13/2021 9:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Fans at Florida Atlantic University's softball stadium were treated to a fun game on Saturday evening, when the Owls hosted No. 24 UCF in the first of a scheduled three games. The evening had it all, both pitchers had a no hitter through three, the game was scoreless through four and the Knights, who won 3-0, were credited with an inside the park home run.

Joyce's Take

"We are playing better," said Joan Joyce, FAU's head coach. "Maya Amm was just unbelievable in that game. She made plays that were insane. You are not going to watch a better ball game than that one. It was a super game. They [UCF] were fast and Lynn [Gardner] threw an awesome game against them… We still have to work on not striking out."

How it Happened

The Owls had the first base runner in the bottom of the second, when FAU freshman Zoey Jones drew a walk courtesy of UCF senior hurler Gianna Mancha, who earned the win. FAU's Lynn Gardner, saw her perfect game slip away in the top of the fourth when the Knights connected on a one-out single to left. Gardner pitched and fielded her way out of the inning to stifle the threat stranding two UCF base runners.

In the bottom half of the fourth, senior catcher Kaitlyn Burke sent one up the middle that ricocheted off Mancha and the Knights' second baseman couldn't recover quick enough to make the play. Burke would be lifted for pinch runner Maddie Carlock, but the Owls' threat would end there.

The top of the fifth had all kinds of action with a lead-off walk, a RBI double, a double steal to score another and the inside the park homer to right center by Kennedy Searcy. The three runs would be the only ones scored in the game, but it was enough to give UCF the 3-0 win and the first game of the three-game series.

Statistically

The Owls recorded two hits, the Burke's infield single and a base hit to left by freshman centerfielder Kaitlyn Cunningham
Gardner pitched the complete seven-inning game for the Owls and recorded a season high six strikeouts She scattered four hits, allowed three earned runs and fell to 2-7 on the season

What's Next

The Owls will play host to a Sunday double header versus UCF. Game time is slated for 1 p.m. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.